British soldier Mark Broadhurst who had 'homemade cannon' and promoted extreme right-wing views is jailed

A British soldier who made explosives and a "homemade cannon" while promoting extreme right-wing views and talking of raising a militia has been jailed.

Weaponry and explosive substances were found at army chef Mark Broadhurst's home in Chesterfield after he was arrested in September 2024 at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, a court was told.

Crossbows and bolts, six large knives and a baseball bat were discovered in police raids on his home address and his quarters at the barracks, as well as gunpowder and the homemade cannon, which an expert described as "crude" and similar to a 14th-century gun.

Broadhurst, who admitted possessing explosives and a firearms offence, was jailed for 46 months by Mr Justice Hilliard at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday.

At a previous hearing, Broadhurst denied the offences were terror-related, but this was rejected by the judge, who found he was trying to impress other members of extreme right-wing groups and encourage them in their violent, racist and anti-authority ideology.

Broadhurst came to the notice of counter-terror police while they were investigating other members of extreme right-wing groups and saw his messages on two online forums.

Matthew Donkin KC, prosecuting, said his posts were "hateful, racist, aggressive and they demonstrated clear, extreme right-wing beliefs and views" as well as a hatred of "black, Asian, Muslim and Jewish people".

As well as discussing anarchy and the end of society, he wanted to be "in history books and criminal records" for terrorism and killing police officers, the court heard.

Most of his offences were committed before he joined the army, Mr Donkin said.

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.

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Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said Broadhurst had 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."

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