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WorldMan, 47, detained after 'weapons factory' in London discovered

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Man, 47, detained after ‘weapons factory’ in London discovered

Following the discovery of what is thought to be a weapons factory within an industrial unit by National Crime Agency detectives, a man has appeared in court.

Indicted for violations of the Firearms Act, 47-year-old Evan Girdlestone of Colliers Wood, south London, was remanded in custody by magistrates in Croydon.

Officers discovered what they thought to be a working modified weapon and magazines packed with 9mm ammo from a car when they apprehended him on Thursday morning.

Girdlestone has been charged with possession of a firearm, namely a handgun contrary to Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 and possession of ammunition contrary to Section 1 of the Act.

The defendant, wearing a Napapijri fleece, appeared in the dock for five minutes to confirm his name, date-of-birth and address.

No pleas were entered and he was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on June 16.

gun
Many different weapons were found at the unit (Picture: PA)

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guns
Photos have been released by the NCA (Picture: PA)

Girdlestone was born in South Africa, but has lived in the UK for 27 years, the court was told.

The court appearance came after NCA officers searched an industrial unit in the Lombard Road area of Merton, and found an array of tools and machinery, including parts used in the manufacture of weapons and ammunition, blank firers, more than a hundred rounds of live ammunition, around a thousand rounds of blank-firing ammunition, and three potentially functioning converted weapons.

They also found several 3D printing machines suspected of being used to print component parts for converted weapons.

The seized weapons are being assessed and analysed by forensic experts.

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