A DEALER in death masterminded a gun factory from a 17th century house in Bardfield Saling whilst using television and film aliases Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer. Ex-soldier and writer Paul Alexander, aged 53, from Sydney Place, Bath, was arrested by poli

A "DEALER in death" masterminded a gun factory from a 17th century house in Bardfield Saling whilst using television and film aliases Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer.

Ex-soldier and writer Paul Alexander, aged 53, from Sydney Place, Bath, was arrested by police after an explosive raid on a house in Plum Lane on September 17, 2008.

Police discovered a factory converting replica guns in to lethal firearms as well as a cannabis factory.

Around 30 firearms, including handguns and rifles, were found in a workshop in an outbuilding.

He admitted possessing firearms and ammunition "so as to enable another person or persons to endanger life", possessing prohibited ammunition, hollow point rounds of ammunition, conspiring to cultivate cannabis and acquiring criminal property. Alexander will now wait to hear his fate after his sentencing was adjourned until November 2, when a psychiatric report can be filed.

Operation Impish which brought about the arrest arose out of an operation by Merseyside Police in 2007 into gun crime aimed at two feuding factions in Liverpool, the Croxteth Crew and the Strang Gang - set up after the Rhys Jones murder.

DNA from Alexander was found by police on guns discovered by Liverpool police.

Identical primer seating tool marks found on cartridges from at least 18 firearms related incidents were used as evidence to link his equipment to a murder in Birmingham, four attempted murders, nine shootings and an armed robbery.

During his time as a gun baron Alexander managed to avoid police and fool people by using several aliases, two of them were well know names from TV - The Bourne Identity character Jason Bourne and the star of 24 Jack Bauer.

Senior investigating officer, Det Supt John Quinton, said: "This was a long, complex, protracted enquiry which involved the identification of over 18 linked offences involving weapons and ammunition; including one murder, four attempted murders and the criminal discharge of firearms. We worked closely with the Serious Organised Crime Agency after identifying Paul Alexander as a significant supplier of firearms to drug gangs.

"We recovered 28 weapons which would have been used in violent crime in communities that are already blighted by gun crime. He had the capacity to produce even more. The guns that he helped place in circulation will long be used to commit crime, probably even after he finishes serving his sentence."

Three women were also charged following the drug and gun factory raid.

Caroline Hunter-Mann-Purdy, 59, also of Sydney Place, Bath, admitted money laundering, was ordered to attend a mental health programme as directed during a 12-month period.

Her daughter Jasmin Purdy, 21, of 50 Mortimer Way, Witham, admitted conspiring to cultivate cannabis and was given 12 months jail but had already served the equivalent of 14 months.

A second daughter Rachel Hunter-Mann, 38, also of Sydney Place, Bath, admitted money laundering, and received 200 hours of unpaid work.

Referring to the drugs, John Dodd QC, prosecuting, told Judge Gratwicke there were 211 plants seized, involving a yield of an estimated 1.52kgs.