British Army chef jailed for making explosives and homemade cannon

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 17:09 · Archive

A British Army chef has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for making explosives and a homemade cannon while promoting extreme right-wing views.

Mark Broadhurst, 28, a chef in the British Army, was arrested at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire in September 2024. Sheffield Crown Court heard that police subsequently discovered weapons and explosive compounds at his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and at his military quarters. A raid uncovered gunpowder and a homemade cannon, which an expert described as crude and comparable to a 14th-century gun. Officers also seized crossbows and bolts, six large knives and a baseball bat. Mr Justice Hilliard sentenced Broadhurst to 46 months in prison after he admitted possessing explosives and a firearms offence. Although Broadhurst previously denied the offences were terror-related, the judge determined he sought to impress other members of extreme right-wing groups and encourage their violent, racist and anti-authority ideology. Counter-terror police identified him during investigations into other far-right figures, discovering his activity across two internet forums. Prosecutor Matthew Donkin KC said the majority of the offending took place before Broadhurst enlisted in the army. Mr Donkin said: 'The things he was posting were hateful, racist, aggressive and they demonstrated clear, extreme right-wing beliefs and views.' The prosecution noted the posts demonstrated hatred toward 'black, Asian, Muslim and Jewish people', with Broadhurst making references to anarchy and societal collapse. The court heard he aimed to feature 'in history books and criminal records' for terrorism and killing police officers.

How it is being reported

• Ex-UK army chef jailed for ‘terror’-related offenceThe former British Army member harboured 'extreme right-wing' views and was ordering explosives components, say police.Al Jazeera · 14 Oct, 18:32
• British soldier who had 'homemade cannon' and promoted extreme right-wing views is jailedA British soldier who made explosives and a "homemade cannon" while promoting extreme right-wing views and talking of raising a militia has been jailed.Sky News · 14 Oct, 16:57
• 'Racist' British Army soldier with 'cannon' had horrific plans for UK, court hearsBritish 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 yearsThe Mirror · 14 Oct, 16:43
• British soldier jailed for terror-linked offences after making explosives and 'homemade cannon'Mark Broadhurst was arrested back in September 2024 and has now been handed a jail sentenceThe Independent · 14 Oct, 15:24

In this story: Mark Broadhurst · British Army · Catterick Garrison · North Yorkshire · Sheffield Crown Court · Chesterfield · Derbyshire

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