Man who transformed his Sheffield home into a gun making factory taken to hospital

Police officers discovered a workshop in his flat in Deer Park View, Stannington, in September last year.

Acting on intelligence suggesting that Parkin had ‘access to firearms’, officers arrested him outside the tower block and found him with a viable handgun in his rucksack, along with a range of bullets and shotgun cartridges.

A search of his home led to the discovery of a workshop in his lounge, where he manufactured firearms.

In police interviews, Parkin claimed he carried weapons for self-protection, to keep himself safe and ‘for show’.

He also claimed he had set up the workshop in his flat to make ‘cages’ to keep his flat secure.

Last week he received an indefinite hospital order under the Mental Health Act after being found guilty of firearms offences following an earlier hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.

Following the discovery of Parkin’s gun, ammunition and worksop, the army’s bomb squad was deployed as a precaution due to the presence of ‘highly flammable materials’ in the flat.

South Yorkshire Police said: “Armed Response Officers and our Operation Fortify teams were deployed to locate Parkin and he was found with a viable handgun in his rucksack, along with a range of bullets and shotgun cartridges.

“After he was detained, officers proceeded to search Parkin’s home, where they discovered that he’d set up a workshop in his living room where he was manufacturing firearms.

“Tools, drills and a large variety of components used to make weapons were seized from the apartment and searches took longer than usual, due to the presence of highly flammable materials.”

The force added: “We know that violent crime, especially involving firearms, is a concern for people living in the city of Sheffield and we are working really hard to take weapons off the streets.

“If you think someone might have access to illegal weapons, I’d urge you to speak to police – your call and your information could make a difference.”

Call South Yorkshire Police on 101.

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