Knives, crossbows and ‘homemade cannon’ found in soldier’s bedroom, judge told
A serving soldier has admitted possessing firearms and explosives including an “improvised homemade cannon” but denies they were connected to terrorism, a judge has been told.
British Army chef Mark Broadhurst, 28, was arrested at Catterick Garrison in September 2024 and then a range of weaponry and explosive substances were found at his home in Chesterfield, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
A judge was shown photographs of his cluttered bedroom where counter-terrorism police found a range of knives and crossbows, black powder, 9mm ammunition, air pistols and rifles, and an improvised weapon which looks like a piece of wood with a pipe attached with gaffer tape.
Broadhurst admitted possession of a firearm without a licence earlier this year, relating to this weapon, which was referred to as an “improvised homemade cannon”.
On Monday, he also admitted possession of explosives, including the “cannon”, on what was due to be the first day of his trial.
Prosecutor Matthew Donkin KC told the judge, Mr Justice Hilliard, that Broadhurst has entered a basis of plea which is not accepted by the prosecution, who insist he possessed the items for terrorism-related reasons.
The judge decided that the issue of whether the offending has a terrorism connection needed to be resolved before he could sentence the defendant, and he therefore began a trial-of-issue – a so-called Newton hearing – which is likely to last all this week and into next week.
Mr Donkin said part of this will include calling an expert on right-wing extremist behaviour to give evidence and also details of Broadhurst’s online activities.
He told the judge: “The prosecution assert that his online activity and communciations demonstrate a terrorism connection.
“And, that’s what’s behind the possession of these explosives.”
Broadhurst, who has previously given his address as Catterick Garrison, admitted possession of explosives for an unlawful purpose on Monday, as he stood in the dock wearing a dark blue suit and tie.
This charge specifies that this includes various quantities of “low explosive substance black powder”, 192g of sulphur powder, and the “improvised homemade cannon”.
The defendant had previously admitted possession of a “craft produced muzzle loading firearm” without a licence, which refers to the same homemade item.
Broadhurst is not charged with terrorism offences but Mr Donkin explained that the issue of whether the items had a terrorism connection could make a difference to the sentence handed down.