'Dangerous' man jailed over weapons haul at Dudley home
Police found an arsenal of weapons and ammunition.
A 'dangerous' man from Dudley who stockpiled guns and other weapons, while he researched images of people being shot online, has been jailed for more than six years.
Police discovered a weapons factory at the home of Frankie Burton on 20 April last year when they attended to arrest him over a suspected arson attack.
Inside his bedroom, officers uncovered a suitcase with an arsenal of weapons including homemade guns, ammunition, eight hunting and flick knives as well as a knuckleduster, baseball bat and stab proof vest.
In the loft of the house in Roberts Green Road, Upper Gornal, police also discovered further guns, 10 live bullets and a CS canister spray.
The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to a number of offences including the possession of firearms, possession of ammunition, possession of CS Spray as well as pleading guilty to having no licenses to keep guns. He was jailed for six years and four months at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Det Insp Lisa Jackson, from the Force Priority and Vulnerabilities Team, said: “We discovered Burton was stockpiling an arsenal of weapons at his home including homemade guns he was converting as well as hoarding knives.
“Burton had a fascination with murder and viewed videos on reloading ammunition and had documents with a step by step guide. He took an interest in murder probes across the country and researched anatomy of headshots as well as looking into convictions related to firearms conversion convictions and sentencing guidelines.
“The judge today rightly described this as ‘worrying case’ and found that his interest in firearms conversion was for an unknown criminal purpose, rather than a hobby, as had been suggested.
“He was described in court as a ‘troubling individual’ and a risk to the public, so we’re pleased that he’s behind bars today.”