Mark Broadhurst, a 28-year-old British Army chef, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to possessing explosives and a firearms offence.
Broadhurst was arrested at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in September 2024. Police later discovered weapons and explosive substances at his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Officers found a "crude" homemade cannon, gunpowder, crossbows, bolts, six large knives, and a baseball bat during searches of his home and barracks quarters.
Although Broadhurst admitted the offences in June, he denied they were terror-related. However, the judge found that he was attempting to impress and encourage members of extreme right-wing groups in their violent, racist, and anti-authority ideology. The prosecution stated that Broadhurst's online messages demonstrated hateful, racist, and aggressive extreme right-wing beliefs, including hatred of "black, Asian, Muslim and Jewish people."
Det Chf Supt James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, stated that a thorough investigation uncovered an extreme right-wing mindset and extensive online conversations with individuals holding similar views. He added that Broadhurst was proactively ordering components for explosives and amassed multiple weapons. The judge was satisfied that Broadhurst's offending had a terrorist connection after hearing the evidence.