A British Army chief has admitted possessing firearms and explosives, including an improvised homemade cannon, but denies they were connected to terrorism, a judge has been told. Mark Broadhurst, 28, was arrested at Catterick Garrison in September 2024 before an array of weaponry and explosive substances were discovered by counter-terrorism police at his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Court hears details of weapons cache
Photos of Broadhurst's cluttered bedroom were shown to a judge, with a range of knives pictured alongside 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.
Prosecution alleges terrorism connection
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 said the issue of whether the offending has links to terrorism needed to be resolved before Broadhurst can be sentenced. A trial-of-issue was therefore started — a so-called Newton hearing — which is likely to continue into next week.
Expert evidence on right-wing extremism
Mr Donkin said the hearing will call an expert on right-wing extremist behaviour to provide evidence and details of Broadhurst's online activities. He told the judge: 'The prosecution assert that his online activity and communications 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.
Items found in barracks and home
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 previously admitted possession of a craft produced muzzle loading firearm without a licence, which refers to the same homemade item. Broadhurst, who is understood to be a private but currently suspended from the Army, listened in the dock as Mr Donkin read evidence from police who arrested him at his barracks on September 24, 2024.
Radicalisation claim and will found
The prosecutor outlined items found in the defendant’s room in the barracks, including the book 'The Fall Of Western Man' by Mark Collett, and a copy of the newspaper 'The Light'. The court heard Broadhurst told an arresting officer: 'I was radicalised by a group of people. I can grass them up, if you want.' Mr Donkin said the two-bedroom bungalow in the Grassmoor area of Chesterfield was searched 45 minutes later. Among the items found in Broadhurst’s Chesterfield bedroom was an envelope titled 'Mark's Will'. The hand-written, one-page note inside gave details of how he wished to leave '100% of my estate' to a named relative and finished: 'I know I have not been the greatest in life. Just know this day was going to come so no more tears and move on.'
Gadsden flag and adjournment
Among the multiple weapons and boxes of powder was a so-called Gadsden Flag — which is yellow, featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the slogan: 'Don’t tread on me', Mr Donkin said. The trial-of-issue was adjourned and will resume on Tuesday.
