SEND DOWN ‘Mr Nobody’ Crime Boss Jailed After Gun Factory Bust

A leader of an organised crime group who branded himself ‘Mr Nobody’ while plotting to convert more than 150 blank firearms into live pistols in makeshift gun factories has been jailed.

Following an investigation by officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) Paul Lynam, of Hannah Gardens, Waterlooville, Hampshire, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court where he was sentenced today (27/2) to 16 years and six months’ imprisonment.

Lynam appeared at the same court on 6 March last year where he pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, two counts of conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition and money laundering.

The 45-year-old, who fled abroad, was detained on 2 August 2024 in Barcelona and was extradited, arriving back in the UK on 6 November that year.

He appeared in court on 13 November 2024 where he was charged in connection with the offences.

The offences relate to two periods during which a total of 153 Top Venting Blank Firearms (TVBFs), which had been converted into live pistols, were seized from the addresses involved in the two conspiracies along with hundreds of rounds of converted ammunition.

Five other members of the organised crime group all pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracies and have previously been sentenced at court hearings.

These were:

Damon Denham, then aged 36, of Common Road, Slough was sentenced to 13 years and one month imprisonment at a hearing at Reading Crown Court on 1 March 2024. Two other men were also sentenced at this hearing.

Chad Blackwell, then aged 34, of Hensworth Road, Ashford, Surrey was sentenced to 11 years and three months’ imprisonment.

Daniel Boyd, then aged 42, of Talbot Place, Datchet, was sentenced to eight years and three months’ imprisonment.

All three men pleaded guilty at previous hearings to, conspiracy to sell/transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to sell/transfer prohibited ammunition. Boyd also pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon.

On 11 October 2023, SEROCU officers executed warrants in Ash Lane, Windsor, and Talbot Place, Datchet.

Inside the properties, officers recovered 83 prohibited handguns. Testing of a selection of these confirmed they were Top Venting Blank Firearms which had been converted into viable prohibited firearms.

In addition, there was also a large amount of ammunition, including some that had been converted into viable ammunition.

Across both properties, officers found parts of firearms such as slides, magazines, pistol receivers and cleaning kits. Within Talbot Place, tools such as a lathe, which are believed to have been used to convert the weapons, were discovered.

On 7 June 2024, at Portsmouth Crown Court two other men were sentenced.

Perry Binns, then aged 37, of Westerham Close, Cosham was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.

He previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to sell/transfer firearms, one count of conspiracy to sell/transfer ammunition and one count of possession with intent to supply heroin.

Steve Jones, then aged 46, of Fratton Road, Portsmouth was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

He previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to sell/transfer firearms, one count of conspiracy to sell/transfer ammunition, one count of manufacturing firearms and one count of manufacturing ammunition.

On 22 February 2024, warrants were carried out in Westerham Close, Cosham, and Mays Yard industrial estate, Horndean. At Westerham Close, officers found 70 firearms and over 600 rounds of ammunition that had been hidden in suitcases.

Testing confirmed that they were blank firearms which had been converted into viable prohibited firearms. The ammunition had also been converted from blank rounds.

At the industrial unit in Mays Yard, officers seized ammunition in various stages of conversion along with tools and equipment used to convert ammunition and firearms.

The police investigation uncovered Lynam played a controlling role, communicating with the others via a communications app, using pseudonyms including Efraim Diveroli, Mr Nobody and Pol Pots (sic).

He provided postcodes and passwords for deliveries and requested stock checks SEROCU officers also found evidence of cash being transferred to Lynam.

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Clair Trueman said: “Lynam’s role in leading an organised crime group, which converted blank firearms into live pistols at various locations, posed a lethal threat our communities across the south east.

“He, along with Denham, Blackwell, Boyd, Binns and Jones, showed complete disregard for the danger these weapons presented. Their only consideration was profiting from others’ misery when undoubtedly, the weapons would have been used for criminal activities.

“The significant sentence Lynam received reflects the seriousness of his offending and concludes a highly complex and international investigation led by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. We continue to make every effort to tackle the threat of firearms and disrupt serious and organised crime in our communities and beyond.”