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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/14/royal-marine-martin-shannon-gun-explosives-offences
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| Royal Marine admits gun and explosives offences | Royal Marine admits gun and explosives offences |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Royal Marine reservist is facing a “considerable” jail sentence after admitting charges linked to a cache of firearms, grenades, plastic explosive and ammunition. | A Royal Marine reservist is facing a “considerable” jail sentence after admitting charges linked to a cache of firearms, grenades, plastic explosive and ammunition. |
| Martin Shannon, 43, was arrested near Winchester on 1 September after an undercover operation headed by the National Crime Agency (NCA). | |
| The married defendant, who was said to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), admitted 15 firearms and explosives offences at the Old Bailey on Friday, including selling some of the guns during the covert operation. | |
| Shannon, of Hythe, near Southampton, pleaded guilty to transferring an assault rifle, pistol and sawn-off shotgun as well as shotgun cartridges. | |
| He also admitted having more than 1,400 rounds of ammunition, seven hand grenades and plastic explosives that were uncovered following his arrest. | |
| The defendant appeared via video link from Bullingdon jail before Judge Richard Marks QC. | |
| Shannon spoke only to enter his guilty pleas and the case was adjourned for a psychiatric report. | |
| Defence barrister Kevin Hill said Shannon had a psychiatric history that may offer some mitigation in the case. | |
| He told the court: “The concern is post-traumatic stress disorder that may well have some bearing on sentence in this case in terms of mitigation available. | |
| “It is a case where there might be significant mitigation that would assist the court in the form of psychiatric assessment. | |
| Marks agreed and remanded the defendant in custody until sentencing on 16 December. | |
| He told the defendant: “It is intended a psychiatric report be obtained to understand something about your background, in particular it is said that you may be suffering from PTSD that may impact on these offences. | |
| “In the meantime, you will need to remain in custody and I am sure you will understand the fact I am adjourning for a report is not an indication that the case will be dealt with in any other way than immediate imprisonment. | |
| “The only issue will be as to the length of the sentence.” | |
| At the time of his arrest, Rob Lewin, head of specialist operations at the NCA, confirmed there was no link to terrorism. | |
| Shannon had admitted taking a Diemaco C8 automatic assault rifle and a Sig Sauer P226 semi-automatic handgun from RM Poole in Dorset, as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition, a number of high-explosive hand grenades and a quantity of plastic explosive. | |
| The ammunition included 5.56mm rounds for the assault rifle – high-calibre, high-penetration bullets – and 9mm rounds for Sig Sauer handguns. | |
| Both weapons are commonly used by the armed forces and law enforcement officers around the world, an NCA spokesman said. | |
| Shannon was arrested by officers from the NCA’s armed operations unit, working with the joint operations unit from Thames Valley police and Hampshire constabulary, at a supermarket in Winnall, near Winchester. | |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We take the security of weaponry very seriously and have robust procedures to deter and prevent losses and thefts which are constantly reviewed. | |
| “In this case it would be inappropriate to comment whilst legal proceedings are ongoing.” |