'Violent and dangerous' illegal arms dealer jailed

Tadas Diksas was jailed after pleading guilty at Northampton Crown Court

A "very violent and dangerous man" has been jailed for more than 15 years for a range of offences - including the possession of illegal firearms and unlawful wounding.

Tadas Diksas, previously of Fitzgerald Road, Little Billing, Northampton, pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court following an investigation by Northamptonshire Police.

He also admitted charges of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate or authority.

Her Honour Judge Lucking described the 38-year-old as "an illegal arms dealer, operating a clandestine and dangerous business".

Police said Diksas was arrested after assaulting a "rival" to a legitimate business he ran involving the sale of second-hand clothing.

The force said said he struck the man over the head with a pistol and shot at him. Although the round missed the victim, he required hospital treatment.

When police searched a storage unit Diksas used for his clothing business, they found 13 firearms and a quantity of ammunition, including a Skorpion machine pistol with 120 live rounds, 11 Atak Arms Stalker pistols, one Kervan Arms pistol, and a smoke grenade.

Diksas' DNA was found on weapons at a storage unit he used

An investigation led by Northamptonshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Team (SOCT) found Diksas' DNA on one of the triggers and a search of his home address also uncovered a bullet press, a vacuum sealer, and a gun cleaning kit.

The evidence, combined with a review of Siksas' phone, allowed detectives to prove he was part of a large Lithuanian chat group, dedicated entirely to firearms.

They said he had also researched how to use the dark web to purchase firearms.

Diksas admitted charges including wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited weapon or ammunition for sale/transfer and possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.

Lead investigator Keith Morson said: "It gives me great satisfaction that not only has he [Diksas] been jailed for a very lengthy period, but also that we have protected the community by taking these lethal weapons off the streets of Northamptonshire."

In total, Judge Lucking sentenced Diksas to 15 years and nine months in prison.