‘Mr Nobody’ Crime Boss Jailed for Turning Blank Guns into Deadly Pistols
A notorious organised crime leader who called himself ‘Mr Nobody’ while masterminding the conversion of more than 150 blank firearms into live guns has been locked up for over 16 years.
Crime Spree Uncovered by SEROCU
Paul Lynam, 45, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, was sentenced today (27/2) at Portsmouth Crown Court after a major probe by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU). Lynam pleaded guilty last year to multiple charges including conspiracy to sell prohibited weapons, ammunition, and money laundering.
He fled the UK but was snatched in Barcelona on 2 August 2024 and extradited back by November. The offences involved converting 153 Top Venting Blank Firearms (TVBFs) into fully functional pistols along with hundreds of rounds of converted ammo.
Gang Members Also Sent Down
- Damon Denham (36) – 13 years, sentenced at Reading Crown Court in March 2024.
- Chad Blackwell (34) – 11 years and 3 months.
- Daniel Boyd (42) – 8 years and 3 months, also guilty of possessing an offensive weapon.
- Perry Binns (37) – 8 years at Portsmouth Crown Court, guilty of firearms conspiracy and heroin supply.
- Steve Jones (46) – 10 years, guilty of firearm and ammunition manufacturing conspiracies.
All admitted involvement in the illegal gun ring responsible for converting and selling firearms and ammunition across the South East.
Huge Hauls of Deadly Weapons Found in Raids
In October 2023, police raided homes in Windsor and Datchet, seizing 83 converted handguns and large quantities of ammunition. They also uncovered parts and tools used to transform blank guns into live weapons, including lathes and cleaning kits.
Earlier, in February 2024, 70 converted firearms and over 600 rounds of ammo were found hidden in suitcases at a property in Cosham. Mays Yard industrial unit contained ammunition in various conversion stages plus specialised tools.
‘Lethal Threat’ to Communities
“Lynam’s role in leading an organised crime group, which converted blank firearms into live pistols at various locations, posed a lethal threat to our communities across the South East.” “Their only goal was cash, with complete disregard for the damage these weapons would cause. The hefty sentence reflects the grave nature of these crimes and ends a complex, international investigation.” – Det Ch Insp Clair Trueman, Senior Investigating Officer
Lynam communicated with gang members using code names like Efraim Diveroli, Mr Nobody and Pol Pots, coordinating deliveries with passwords and postcodes while laundering cash.
With these criminals behind bars, police vow to keep smashing organised gun crime threatening communities nationwide.
