Man 'fascinated by weapons' jailed after ninja sword and knuckle duster found

A man who was "fascinated by weapons" and stored an air rifle, a ninja sword, a knuckle duster and four telescopic truncheons in his ex-partner's house has been jailed.

Maximin Carter, 51, from Neath Port Talbot, was initially arrested on suspicion of attempting to make an explosive after police were called to Commercial Street, Abergwynfi, on 14 February.

Residents had to leave their homes as "military resources" were used to search the house in what was declared a major incident by emergency services.

Carter pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court in March to possessing a banned weapon and six counts of possessing an offensive weapon, and has been given a five-and-a-half-year sentence.

The court heard Carter's former partner contacted the police with concerns about weapons in her home, where he was said to be staying without permission.

She also raised the alarm about what she thought were bombs, but the prosecution explained that several plastic bottles filled with polystyrene were found, and no explosives.

The house was a mess, the court heard, and his former partner thought booby traps had been set up because of the state of the property.

Images of the weapons found in the house were shown to the court, including an air rifle, which was stored in a wooden box and included a self-contained gas cartridge.

The prosecution said it was evident that there was interest in armoury and weaponry.

In mitigation, Carter's defence said that he had reached rock bottom after a domestic breakdown, and that he is now correctly medicated since being on remand in Swansea prison.

Judge Huw Rees said a previous caution against Carter and the fact that substantial quantity of ammunition was found in conjunction with the banned weapon were aggravating factors.

Carter, who appeared in a video link from Swansea prison, will spend 40% of his sentence in prison and the rest on licence.