SOLDIER JAILED OVER HOMEMADE CANNON AND FAR-RIGHT POSTS

A soldier has been sentenced to 46 months in prison after admitting possessing explosives and a firearms offence, Sheffield Crown Court heard. Mark Broadhurst, a chef in the British Army, was detained at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire in September 2024. Police subsequently searched his military quarters and his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, where they found gunpowder, a homemade cannon, crossbows and bolts, six large knives and a baseball bat. An expert described the cannon as "crude" and compared it to a 14th century gun. Mr Justice Hilliard said Broadhurst had sought to impress members of extreme right-wing groups and encourage their violent, racist and anti-authority views.

Counter terror police identified Broadhurst during investigations into other individuals holding far-right views, after finding his activity on two internet forums, prosecutor Matthew Donkin KC told the court. Mr Donkin said the posts were "hateful, racist, aggressive" and showed hatred toward Black, Asian, Muslim and Jewish people, along with references to anarchy and societal collapse, and details of an online order for gunpowder ingredients. The court heard Broadhurst had spoken of wanting to feature "in history books and criminal records" for terrorism and killing police officers. Mr Donkin said most of the offending occurred before Broadhurst joined the army. Broadhurst had denied the offences were terror-related, but the judge rejected this account.

Defence barrister Jim Littlehales presented a reference from a superior officer describing Broadhurst as "excellent at mentoring junior members of the catering team" and said the firearm was never used to threaten anyone. The judge sentenced Broadhurst on the basis that he made the weapon and gunpowder to gain standing among extreme right-wing peers. A detective involved in the case commented after sentencing, though further details of that statement were not included in the available material.