'Racist' British Army soldier with 'cannon' had horrific plans for UK, court hears

'Racist' British Army soldier with 'cannon' had horrific plans for UK, court hears British Army chef Mark Broadhurst, 28, had a terrifying array of weaponry including explosives and a court has heard he had been communicating with now convicted terrorists for nearly two years A serving British Army soldier has been jailed for almost four years after he made explosives and a "homemade cannon" while promoting extreme right-wing views and talking of raising a militia. British Army chef Mark Broadhurst, 28, was arrested at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in September 2024 and a range of weaponry and explosive substances was then found at his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Sheffield Crown Court was told. When police raided his quarters at the barracks and his home address, they found gun powder and a home-made cannon, described by an expert as "crude" and similar to a 14th century gun. He was also found to have crossbows and bolts, six large knives and a baseball bat. He wanted to be "in history books and criminal records" for terrorism and killing police officers, the court heard. Mr Justice Hilliard jailed him for 46 months after the soldier admitted possessing explosives and a firearms offence. At a previous hearing, Broadhurst denied the offences were terror-related, but the judge found that he was trying to impress other members of extreme right-wing groups and encourage them in their violent, racist and anti-authority ideology. Matthew Donkin KC, prosecuting, said most of the activity surrounding the offending happened before he joined the army. Counter terror police became aware of Broadhurst while carrying out investigations on other members of extreme right-wing groups and saw his messages on two online forums. Mr Donkin said: "The things he was posting were hateful, racist, aggressive and they demonstrated clear, extreme right-wing beliefs and views." The messages demonstrated a hatred of “black, Asian, Muslim and Jewish people”, the prosecution said. He made references to anarchy, the end of society and his preparedness to bring this about, the Crown said. Broadhurst had shared the online order he made for the ingredients to make gunpowder. The court heard evidence that Broadhurst had been communicating with now convicted terrorists Christopher Ringrose, Brogan Stewart and Marco Pitzettu for nearly two years on Facebook and Telegram. Jim Littlehales, defending, read a reference from a superior officer which described the chef as “excellent at mentoring junior members of the catering team” and said he worked to the highest standards. Mr Littlehales said the firearm he made was not used to threaten anyone. The judge sentenced Broadhurst on the basis that he made the weapon and gunpowder so he would be taken seriously by other members of the extreme right-wing groups. After the 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. I welcome the sentence handed down to Broadhurst which reflects his mindset and the danger he posed to the public.” Frank Ferguson, Head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Mark Broadhurst was clearly interested in violence and developing weapons that had the ability to cause untold harm to innocent people. “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. “The prosecution was able to use evidence from Broadhurst’s own devices and online communications, which meant he had little choice but to admit his guilt. There was simply no legitimate or lawful explanation for Broadhurst having these illegal weapons and explosives inside his bedroom. “Where individuals acquire weapons or explosives to further their extremist beliefs, we will always work closely with Counter Terrorism Policing to make sure they are brought before the courts and any terrorist activity is disrupted at an early stage.”