A total of 18 people will be appearing in court as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal conversion of blank firing weapons and ammunition into viable firearms and ammunition.

The suspects have all been charged in connection to a complex investigation, jointly led by the force’s Serious Organised Crime Unit and Armed Crime Team.

Ashley Stevenson, 21, of Spa Well Crescent in Rotherham, Karl Keegan-Moore, 32, of Reasbeck Terrace in Barnsley, Joshua Drury, 32, of Highwoods Road in Doncaster, Kelly Swearing, 39, of Shortbrook Drive in Sheffield, Sarah Hughes, 45, of Halfway Centre in Sheffield, have been charged with conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to manufacture, sell or transfer ammunition.

They have all been bailed to next appear at court on 3 June 2024.

In total, 18 people have been charged since the investigation launched in May 2023. Over the past 11 months, 11 of those charged have been remanded in custody and will appear at court on 26 July 2024.

Anyone looking for more information can visit Home | South Yorkshire Police.