British Army chef admits possessing firearm but denies having explosives
A British Army chef has admitted possessing a firearm but denied having explosives, including a homemade “cannon” and black powder.
Mark Broadhurst, 27, was arrested in September 2024 and was charged with having an explosive substance and possession of a firearm without a licence after two homes in Chesterfield and Bolsover, Derbyshire, were searched.
The defendant, from Chesterfield, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday via a videolink to deny having various quantities of low explosive black powder, sulphur powder and an “improvised homemade cannon” on or before September 25.
But he admitted having a firearm on the same date.
He previously gave his address as Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
A two-week trial has been set at Sheffield Crown Court for June 29.
Broadhurst, who was suspended by the British Army, was granted continued conditional bail.