THREE men have been jailed for a combined total of more than 26 years after a pleading guilty to firearms offences.

In February 2018, officers raided an address in Ashenhurst Avenue, Huddersfield, following intel that two imitation firearms had been imported from Eastern Europe.

When officers entered the address, they discovered a ‘firearms workshop’ in the kitchen of the address, that included an industrial drill and other tools alongside the converted imitation pistols which had been modified to be capable of being fired as fully automatic handguns.

They also discovered component parts of guns and viable ammunition for the converted weapons.

A protracted investigation then took place, which found that other weapons including rifles had been previously modified, adapted and sold to criminals across the North of England.

Despite the ongoing investigation and the raid at his house in Ashenhurst Avenue, Thomas Robinson, 38, continued to modify and try and sell firearms.

A thorough investigation found forensic and telephonic evidence linking Robinson, now of Oldham Road, Manchester, Dale Bates, 29, of no fixed abode and Junaid Ali, 24, of no fixed abode to the offence, and all three were arrested.

They were later charged and pleaded guilty in June 2021 prior to any trial being heard.

On Friday, Robinson was sentenced to 13 and a half years for conspiracy to convert firearms, conspiracy to run a firearms business, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

Ali received eight years and three months for his role in the conspiracy and additional drugs offences.

Bates, who was sentenced on February 1, received five years for his involvement as a customer.

West Yorkshire Police Detective Superintendent Fiona Gaffney said: “I am very pleased with the sentences that have been handed down to these three men.

“Firearms are extremely dangerous weapons and can cause devastating effects to people and communities.

“Our team worked hard to investigate and disrupt this trio in their offending, and we hope this sentencing brings reassurance to the community that firearms are not tolerated in Kirklees and we will treat all offences like this seriously.”