Rotherham gun gang jailed

Brothers Robert and David Webb (29 and 30) and 31-year-old Natale Lala were locked up at Sheffield Crown Court this morning.

David Webb was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years, while his brother and Lala will serve five years each.

They were charged with firearms offences following raids at Moorgate Road, South Crescent and Whitelee Road in Rotherham last July as part of a South Yorkshire Police and National Crime Agency investigation into organised crime.

Weapons found included a Glock handgun and ammunition, a Carbine assault rifle, a crossbow, a stun gun and multiple magazines of ammunition.

Police said of the raids: “The sheer number of bullets and array of guns was staggering.”

Robert Webb pleaded guilty to firearms offences relating to possession of a handgun, possession of a Carbine assault rifle, possession of a stun gun, possession of ammunition for a Carbine assault rifle and converting a firearm.

He also pleaded guilty to a number of offences under the Explosives Act, including possession of nitro-glycerine and three counts of possessing articles to make explosives.

David Webb and Lala pleaded guilty to possession of a handgun.

The prosecutions followed Operation Clearview, which was aimed at identifying and apprehending members of a sophisticated firearms ring, which included Lala and the Webb brothers.

David Webb was arrested in his vehicle after officers observing him entering a property in Moorgate Road, the home of Lala, with a package.

When police raided Lala’s home, they found a Glock handgun and live ammunition.

Three people, two men and a woman including Lala, were arrested.

Upon searching David Webb’s home, which he shared with his brother Robert in South Crescent, East Dene, officers uncovered an arsenal of weaponry including an automatic machine gun, a crossbow, a stun gun, and multiple magazines of ammunition.

They also discovered balaclavas and police uniforms in a wardrobe, as well as chemicals and compounds at the address that could be used to make explosives.

An industrial unit in Whitelee Road belonging to the Webb was found to contain further ammunition, as well as more chemicals and compounds.

A quantity of nitro-glycerine was discovered in a locker.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mick Hakin said: “The court hearing today marks the culmination of months of hard work from Rotherham officers and a concerted effort to remove significant numbers of firearms from the streets.

“This group were sophisticated and highly organised but their actions, particularly Robert Webb’s possession of nitro-glycerine, put the lives of Rotherham’s communities at risk and were incredibly foolish.”

Supt Paul McCurry from Rotherham said: “This is a great result for Rotherham and indeed, the whole of South Yorkshire.

“Three men who have admitted to possessing dangerous weapons are now behind bars and subsequently, our streets are a little safer.

“I must thank our colleagues at the National Crime Agency, who have been a fantastic asset and support throughout our investigation.”