A British Army chef who built a homemade cannon, hoarded weapons and promoted extreme right-wing ideology has been sentenced to almost four years in prison.
Mark Broadhurst, 28, was found with an arsenal including explosives, crossbows, knives, ammunition and firearms at his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. He was arrested at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in September 2024, where he worked as a chef.
Investigation into far-right extremism
Counter-terrorism officials became aware of him during inquiries into other far-right extremists and uncovered his vitriolic posts on online forums. Broadhurst had expressed a wish to form a militia and discussed anarchy, societal collapse and the murder of police officers.
He also shared details of orders for gunpowder ingredients, telling others he wanted to be remembered in history books for acts of terrorism.
Arsenal discovered at home and barracks
A search of his home and barracks revealed a rudimentary homemade cannon made from a piece of wood and a pipe fastened with duct tape. Officers also found gunpowder, crossbows and bolts, six large knives, a baseball bat, 9mm ammunition, air pistols and rifles.
Broadhurst, from Scott Close, Chesterfield, admitted possessing a firearm without a certificate and making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances. However, he denied that the offences were linked to terrorism.
Sentencing and reaction
Following a hearing, Mr Justice Hilliard concluded that one reason Broadhurst possessed the firearm and gunpowder was to ensure his threats of serious violence were taken seriously by members of the extremist group whose ideology he wanted to advance.
He was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday and made subject to a 10-year notification order. Matthew Donkin KC, prosecuting, said the majority of the offending took place before Broadhurst joined the Army.
The court heard his online posts were hateful, racist and aggressive, expressing hatred towards black, Asian, Muslim and Jewish people. His barrister, Jim Littlehales, read a reference from a superior officer praising Broadhurst for mentoring junior members of the catering team and working to the highest standards. The defence also said the homemade firearm had not been used to threaten anyone.
After sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: "Whilst Broadhurst pleaded guilty to these offences, he did not accept that his intent had a terrorist motivation. A thorough investigation was conducted which uncovered an extreme right-wing mindset, and he was engaging in extensive conversations online with other individuals who hold similar views. He was proactively ordering components to make explosives, plus he amassed multiple weapons, including firearms. After hearing the extensive evidence compiled throughout our investigation, the judge was satisfied his offending had a terrorist connection."
Frank Ferguson, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said Broadhurst had been interested in violence and developing weapons capable of causing "untold harm" to innocent people. He added: "He was immersed in extremist material and maintained close contact with three now-convicted terrorists inspired by SS tactics and supremacist ideology over a prolonged period."
