Gun Gang Busted After Cross-Country Firearms Swap
A ruthless organised crime group, led by Nathan Godfrey from Barnsley, has been unmasked for swapping deadly converted blank-firing guns on a 150-mile journey. The gang’s nerve-wracking weapon exchange was caught near Oldham in January 2020, exposing a chilling nationwide firearms network.
High-Speed Handgun Swap Caught by Armed Police
On 27 January 2020, just before 4.30pm, two cars — a stolen BMW driven by Sebastian Benjamin and a VW Golf driven by Michael McDonagh, both from Hemel Hempstead, with passenger Stuart Nicholson from Grantham — met boot-to-boot on Reins Lea Avenue in Oldham. Two men swiftly exchanged a loaded handgun, which was concealed in the BMW’s boot.
Armed police moved in fast, stopping the BMW on Cavendish Street in Ashton-under-Lyne. Inside, they found a converted Retay firearm loaded with three live rounds, and eleven more bullets hidden in a sock inside a carrier bag.
The swap took place near Hedley Brown’s home in Oldham. Moments before the cars moved off, Brown was spotted approaching the Golf, leaning into the driver’s side, then disappearing into a nearby pub after removing a glove — a move police later linked to wiping evidence.
Hidden Firearms, WhatsApp Chats & Nationwide Manhunt
Less than an hour later, officers raided Brown’s home, seizing another identical firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition. Investigators uncovered WhatsApp messages showing Brown and Godfrey had been sharing images of the guns and ammo over a week before the swap.
Police launched a nationwide hunt. McDonagh was arrested at a Hemel Hempstead service station on 18 March, while Nicholson was caught in Lincolnshire on 11 April. Godfrey, the ringleader, was found hiding in Salford Quays with false ID. Messages on his phone revealed plans to flee the country.
Long Sentences for Gang’s Firearm Conspiracy
- Nathan Godfrey: Guilty of conspiring to transfer a firearm. Sentenced to 14 years.
- Ryan Catton (Driffield, North Yorkshire): Guilty of conspiracy to transfer a firearm. Sentenced to 13 years.
- Lee Nicholson (Barnsley): Pleaded guilty to conspiracy. Sentenced to 8 years 3 months.
- Hedley Brown (Oldham): Guilty of multiple offences including transferring a firearm and possession with intent to endanger life. Sentenced to 13 years 6 months.
- Michael McDonagh: Guilty of possession with intent to endanger life. Sentenced to 7 years 2 months.
- Sebastian Benjamin: Guilty of possession without certificate. Sentenced to 5 years.
- Stuart Nicholson: Guilty of possession without certificate. Sentenced to 5 years.
- Craig Steenson: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply firearms and cocaine, plus possession of criminal property. Sentenced to 16 years.
- Cody Hurley: Guilty of possession without certificate. Sentenced to 7 years 6 months.
- Peter Locker: Guilty of possession of firearms and drugs with intent to supply. Sentenced to 8 years 3 months.
McDonagh was sentenced today at Minshull Street Crown Court, while the others were sentenced last July.
The gang’s complicated communication chain relied on WhatsApp links from Godfrey to Catton, then to Lee Nicholson and his cousin Stuart, before messages went back the other way — all to keep the deadly firearms moving under the radar.
