A ‘dealer in death’ and one of the “most notorious firearms dealers” in Essex is facing up to the possibility of life behind bars.

Paul Alexander, 53, was told on Monday to expect a lengthy prison sentence for making guns which were sold to feuding gangs.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday Alexander’s wife and two step-daughters, who admitted lesser charges, walked free from court.

The former British Army Sergeant passed himself off as a writer while he converted immitation firearms from his workshop in an outbuilding at a sprawling 17th century property in Bardfield Saling, near Braintree.

He was due to be sentenced on Monday but it was adjourned until November 2 as a further report was requested.

The court heard Alexander, who used at least 30 aliases including Hollywood names Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer, was a “Walter Mitty” character whose influence was crucial in the criminal activity of his wife and two step-daughters.

His wife, Caroline Hunter-Mann-Purdy, and step-daughter, Rachael Hunter-Mann, admitted money laundering offences and another of his step-daughters, Jasmine Purdy, admitted cultivating cannabis.

The country house in Bardfield Saling, was raided on September 17 last year - the raid came after Alexander's DNA had been found on handguns seized at raids in Merseyside in 2007 and Manchester last year.

At the Essex property, which Alexander was renting for £3,800 a month, police found 28 firearms, including handguns and rifles, as well as all the tools necessary to convert imitation firearms and manufacture ammunition.

On Monday Judge Charles Gratwicke gave Caroline Hunter-Mann-Purdy, 59, and Rachael-Hunter-Mann, 39, two year community and supervision orders for money laundering.

Hunter-Mann-Purdy, of Mortimer Way, Witham, and Rachael-Hunter-Mann, of Eccles, Manchester, were both described, in mitigation, as having troubled backgrounds and having endured difficult relationships.

They trusted Alexander and did not realise the extent of his criminality, believing he was invovled in confidential security work.

Rachael Hunter-Mann was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Jasmine Purdy, also listed as living in Mortimer Way, Witham, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the drug offence but was released as she has spent the time on remand.

Tyrone Smith, in mitigation, said the 22-year-old had previously helped her step-father research two books he had published.

She believed, when cultivating a plant of the genus cannabis, she was helping her father with research for a future book, the court heard.

Serious Organised Crime Agency deputy director Mick Layton said Alexander “was dealing in death”, while Chris McCann, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said Alexander “is one of the most notorious firearms dealers we have ever seen in this county”.