A serving member of the British Army has been jailed after being found guilty of charges of the possession of explosives and firearms for terrorist purposes.
Mark Broadhurst has been jailed for 3 years 10 months and will be subject to a 10-year notification order.
Police became aware of Broadhurst after he posted in online forums which demonstrated his racist views and extreme right wing ideology. He also showed an interest in forming a militia armed force.
Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East arrested him at his barracks in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in September 2024.
Searches at his home in Chesterfield found a range of weaponry including a range of knives and crossbows, black powder, 9mm ammunition, air pistols, rifles, and an improvised homemade cannon which he made from a piece of wood and a pipe attached to it with duct tape.
Broadhurst was charged in September 2025 with possession of a firearm without a certificate, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968 and making or possession of explosive under suspicious circumstances, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Explosives Substances Act 1883.
He pleaded guilty to both offences ahead of his trial, but the basis of the plea was not accepted by the prosecution who argued that the possession of these items were for terrorism-related reasons.
After a week-long Newton hearing in June 2026, the Judge, Mr Justice Hilliard, retired to consider whether the offending had a terrorism connection. The judge returned his verdict on 29 July 2026 and concluded that he was “satisfied to the criminal standard that one reason for possessing the firearm and gunpowder was to try and ensure that what he was saying, which included the threats of serious violence with the firearm, was taken seriously by the group whose ideologies at that time he wanted to advance.”
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 the 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.”
