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'Dealer in death' given 20 years 'Dealer in death' given 20 years
(about 1 hour later)
A man who converted mini torches into guns was jailed for 20 years by a judge who said he was a "dealer in death".A man who converted mini torches into guns was jailed for 20 years by a judge who said he was a "dealer in death".
Engineer David Hampson, 44, of Huyton, Liverpool, admitted counts of conspiring to supply guns and ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court. Engineer David Hampson, 44, of Huyton, Liverpool, admitted counts of conspiring to supply guns and ammunition, at the city's Crown Court.
He used the kitchen of his home in Barford Road as a workshop which was strewn with gun parts, the court heard.He used the kitchen of his home in Barford Road as a workshop which was strewn with gun parts, the court heard.
Judge David Swift said he was a "serious risk", adding: "You are, in reality, a dealer in death."Judge David Swift said he was a "serious risk", adding: "You are, in reality, a dealer in death."
'Gun' torches'Gun' torches
Hampson was jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2003 for converting imitation guns but was said to have refused to change his ways.Hampson was jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2003 for converting imitation guns but was said to have refused to change his ways.
The latest case is the result of a 12-month undercover investigation by Merseyside Police.The latest case is the result of a 12-month undercover investigation by Merseyside Police.
The court heard his skills were so advanced that Hampson could transform miniature torches into guns which fired single bullets.The court heard his skills were so advanced that Hampson could transform miniature torches into guns which fired single bullets.
Police said the conversions were expertly engineered
By twisting the torch as if to turn it on, the firing mechanism was activated and the bullet discharged.By twisting the torch as if to turn it on, the firing mechanism was activated and the bullet discharged.
The case against him and four accomplices began to take shape in January 2009 when three undercover policemen rented a house in Stockbridge Village, and an industrial unit where they purported to run a vehicle recovery business.
The officers, referred to as Craig, Davey and Will, came to the attention of Dean Gerrard.
The 21-year-old, of Boode Croft, Stockbridge Village, was the link between the undercover officers and Hampson's gang.
'Making a fortune'
Gerrard went from offering the policemen cannabis and stolen watches to offering them guns.
Gerrard and accomplices Neil Perry, 27, and Martin Pearson, 20, were given £5,000 by the officers for a Brocock pistol, ammunition and a Rolex watch worth about £18,000.
Gerrard, who admitted conspiring to supply guns and ammunition and handling stolen goods, introduced the officers to Hampson.
The gang were arrested as they delivered guns to undercover officers
Daniel Travers, prosecuting, said: "Craig shook his hand and could see that on all the kitchen work surfaces there were pieces of metal and guns in various states of repair, as well as machines and professional precision tools.
"Hampson showed Craig a Beretta handgun.
"Craig told Hampson that he could make a fortune up north, to which he replied 'I'm already making a fortune here'."
The next day Gerrard and taxi driver Thomas Marsh, 40, of Rathbone Road, Liverpool, arrived at the officers' house to deliver the goods and the gang were arrested.
Marsh was jailed for 30 months after being convicted of conspiring to supply ammunition but cleared of conspiring to supply guns.
Gerrard will be sentenced next Wednesday.
Perry, 27, of Olive Grove, Huyton, was jailed for five years after admitting conspiring to supply ammunition and firearms.
Pearson, 20, of Goschen Street, Old Swan, Liverpool, admitted the same charges and was jailed for seven years.
Outside court, Det Supt Paul Richardson, of Merseyside Police, said: "Our scientist told us that was some of the finest engineering he had seen in the reconversion of weapons."