Gun gang’s link to Oldham murder

A LIVERPOOL gun gang sentenced to a total of 57 years behind bars have links to a murder in Oldham, it has been revealed.

Grandfather James Dunne (62) was part of a deadly four-man team who converted decommissioned guns into weapons, then sold them on the black market.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the gun factory was responsible for making at least 45 firearms — so far linked to a murder in Oldham as well as shootings in Merseyside and Preston, Lancashire.

No details of the Oldham involvement have been revealed. A Merseyside Police spokesman said the Oldham case had still go for trial, and was subject to legal restrictions.

Dunne pleaded guilty to re-activating and conspiring to sell firearms and possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Co-accused Neil Hidderley (50) was jailed for 18 years after he was found guilty of firearms charges at two earlier trials. Lee Malone (24) and Joseph O’Rourke (23) were each given 10 years after pleading guilty to selling re-activated firearms to undercover police.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Chief Supt Richardson said: “We knew through the work of the undercover police officer that we had actually taken out not only the supply chain, but also the people who had the ability to manufacture weapons — the people who were putting these weapons back on to the streets.”