A Sheffield man who modelled his apartment into a homemade weapons factory has been indefinitely hospitalised under the Mental Health Act.
Wayne Parkin, 37, of Deer Park View, was arrested outside his home in Stannington in September 2020, after he was found carrying a handgun in the city.
The following search of his home led to the discovery of the workshop where he manufactured the firearms.
PC Makin, investigating, 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.”
It comes following a rise in the use of weapons across South Yorkshire.
In police interviews Parkin claimed he carried weapons for self-protection, to keep himself safe and ‘for show’.
On Friday 7 May, Parkin was given an indefinite hospital order under The Mental Health Act after being found guilty by a jury at a previous hearing.
PC Makin continued: “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.”
You can call the Police on 101.