Gang arranged for pistol to be sent from U.S in post - but duo who took possession of parcel had no idea
The parcel containing the firearm was fitted with a covert listening device, after it was intercepted by border force officers
Two gang members involved in taking possession of a parcel containing a gun posted from America to a Rotherham address claim to have no knowledge of what the package contained.
A parcel containing the parts to form a self-loading Koch pistol sent from Georgia, United States was intercepted by border force operatives in Coventry before it could reach the address of defendant Katarina Kildare.
“Inside were six parts required to make up a fully working firearm,” prosecutor Amber Walker told Sheffield Crown Court.
But instead of arresting Kildare immediately, the package was fitted with “covert listening devices,” and sent on to her address, as officers from the National Crime Agency began surveillance on her property.
Kildare’s co-accused Marcus Golding was her contact for the scheme, with messages between the pair showing a constant stream about the package arriving.
A hearing held on September 22, 2026 heard how Golding, of Crowder Road, Longley, Sheffield, was the first person she contacted when the illicit package arrived at her address.
The covert recording device concealed within the package recorded the sound of people arriving, and moving about at the address, along with a number of conversations.
One such conversation was between a male and Kildare, as she told them she was sleeping but it did not matter if they wanted to come to collect the package.
NCA officers swooped on Kildare’s address a short time later, and arrested her a short time later. Golding was connected to the parcel, after police seized Kildare’s phone, the court heard.
Both Kildare and Golding deny knowing what was inside the parcel.
They were initially charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade any duty/prohibition/ restriction/provision on a firearm, but subsequently pleaded guilty to an offence of participating in the activities of an organised crime group instead.
The fraudulently evade any duty/prohibition/ restriction/provision on a firearm charge was ordered to lie on file.
“It’s clear, Ms Kildare, that you knew what you were receiving was illicit and illegal.
“I accept that both of you did not know that what was involved was a gun…the reality is that even though you may not have known it…it was a gun that was going to be used by criminals, frankly to cause harm,” Judge Charles Thomas told the defendants.
Referring to text messages found on Kildare’s phone, Judge Thomas added: “It’s clear Ms Kildare that you expected to be paid in drugs.”
Golding, aged 37, was jailed for 56 months in 2016 for being involved in the supply of the Class A drug heroin, something Judge Thomas said was connected to “the activities of an organised crime group.”
Golding, who has a criminal record spanning 27 offences, received another prison sentence in 2021 for unrelated crimes, a short time after the package containing a firearm arrived at Kildare’s address.
Judge Thomas said it appears that since then, Golding has not been involved with any sort of serious criminality.
“You’ve made considerable effort to turn your life around since then,” he said.
Kildare, aged 52, of Kiveton Lane, Kiveton Park, Rotherham, has a limited criminal record, with a single entry for a theft offence committed in Valencia, Spain.
Judge Thomas said he regarded her to be a vulnerable individual with a number of difficulties.
Both defendants, Judge Thomas said, have stayed out of trouble in the five years since the package arrived at Kildare’s address, and have made changes in their life which has led him to conclude they have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
He sentenced Golding to 30 months imprisonment, suspended for three years, and ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Kildare was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, along with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.