Two Men Jailed for Firearms Crimes in South London Sting
Two South London men have been locked up for serious firearms offences after a specialist police probe. Harvey Gillett, 23, and Dean Batchelor, 28, both from Southwark, were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday, 30 September.
They’d already pleaded guilty back in February.
Serious Jail Terms for Gun Offences
- Batchelor was sentenced to eight years and nine months for selling a firearm to Gillett and importing two guns plus pepper spray ammunition.
- Gillett bagged five years and ten months for firearm possession while banned, plus driving a stolen motorbike.
How The Police Nabbed Them
On 5 May 2019, Gillett was spotted on a stolen, high-powered motorbike with false plates heading to a Southwark address linked to Batchelor.
After about 20 minutes there, Gillett returned home and was caught acting suspiciously around an electrical cupboard. He slipped away his gloves and distinctive rucksack before armed police arrested him. A partially converted firearm was found hidden inside the cupboard.
Gillett was charged within days. He also had previous firearm convictions and was found with a burner phone linking him directly to Batchelor, dubbed ‘Aggro’ by police.
In a separate operation, two imitation revolvers and pepper gas rounds were intercepted en route to Batchelor’s home by Border Force officers in May 2019.
Further investigations showed Batchelor ordered and paid for these weapons.
In June, Batchelor was caught buying replica guns from a weapons store in East Sussex. During his arrest, he shockingly claimed, “how are they illegal ordered off the internet,” showing his clear knowledge of the items seized.
The store owner confirmed Batchelor had previously bought three replica guns there, including one identical to the weapon found with Gillett.
Detective’s Warning: Firearms Have No Place on London Streets
“This investigation led to several lethal weapons and ammunition being taken off the streets of London. If they hadn’t been seized, I have no doubt they would have caused serious harm or death,” said Detective Inspector Tom Williams from Specialist Crime.
“Our team worked tirelessly to gather evidence that forced these men to plead guilty. Tackling violent crime is our top priority. Every gun we remove makes London safer.”
