British Army chef jailed for terror-linked offences

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

Mark Broadhurst, 28, was arrested at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in September 2024, before police later found weapons and explosive substances at his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Officers found a "crude" homemade cannon, gunpowder, crossbows, bolts, six large knives and a baseball bat when they searched his home and barracks quarters.

Broadhurst, of Scott Close, Grassmoor, was sentenced to 46 months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to possessing explosives and a firearms offence.

He admitted the offences at a hearing in June but denied they were terror-related.

However, the judge found 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 Broadhurst joined the Army.

Counter-terror police became aware of Broadhurst while carrying out investigations into other members of extreme right-wing groups and saw his messages on two online forums.

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 added.

Broadhurst made references to anarchy, the end of society and his preparedness to bring this about, the court heard.

Broadhurst wanted to be "in history books and criminal records" for terrorism and killing police officers, as well as sharing the online order he made for the ingredients to make gunpowder.

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.

The firearm Broadhurst made was not used to threaten anyone, he added.

Broadhurst was sentenced 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, the judge said.

After the sentencing, Det Ch Supt 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."

Frank Ferguson, head of the special crime and counter terrorism division, added: "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."

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