This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly7nq51dlqo
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ex-PCSO Zoe Watts jailed for using 3D printer to make gun | Ex-PCSO Zoe Watts jailed for using 3D printer to make gun |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Zoe Watts, 39, was handed a prison sentence at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday | |
| A former police community support officer who was "obsessed with weapons" has been jailed after she tried to make a gun using a 3D printer. | A former police community support officer who was "obsessed with weapons" has been jailed after she tried to make a gun using a 3D printer. |
| Zoe Watts, 39, who is a trans woman, of St Helen's Avenue, Lincoln, was found with weapons, including knives and a crossbow, alongside parts for 3D printed guns during a raid on her home on 11 December. | |
| Watts denied a charge of attempting to manufacture a prohibited weapon, and claimed she was making a "fidget" toy gun as a Christmas present. | Watts denied a charge of attempting to manufacture a prohibited weapon, and claimed she was making a "fidget" toy gun as a Christmas present. |
| But after being found guilty in June, Watts was sentenced on Friday at Lincoln Crown Court to eight years and six months in prison. | But after being found guilty in June, Watts was sentenced on Friday at Lincoln Crown Court to eight years and six months in prison. |
| Watts, who ran her own survivalist channel on YouTube, was previously jailed for banned weapon and explosive substances offences | |
| Jonathan Dee, prosecuting, said the semi-automatic weapon, which was a short-range rifle, was the "first weapon of this type that has been found in this country". | |
| He said it had "the capacity to cause mass casualties" and was capable of firing 33 bullets within 10 to 15 seconds. | |
| The court heard the 3D printer was found in a cupboard during the search of her home, along with many of the parts needed to make a gun. | |
| When firearms experts tried to put the weapon together it did not work, but the prosecution said it would be a "lethal" prohibited weapon if made correctly. | |
| Two days before the raid on her home, Watts had done an online search for "Has anybody been killed by a 3D printed gun?" | |
| Zoe Watts was described by Judge Simon Hirst as having an "obsession with weapons" | |
| Judge Simon Hirst described Watts as "incredibly courteous and polite" but, passing sentence, told her it was "clear from evidence that you have an obsession with weapons". | |
| "You have a deeply troubling search history concerning those who have killed and notorious murderers," he added. | |
| The judge said there had been "some degree of planning" but "no evidence the weapon would have been sold or loaned". | |
| He also made Watts – who was previously jailed in 2021 for making an improvised explosive device and for weapons offences – the subject of a deprivation order, meaning her rights to access the 3D printer and associated materials were removed. | |
| Judge Hirst said he realised custody would be more difficult for Watts because of her neurodivergence, her previous police career and her transgender identity. | |
| She was also made the subject of a five-year serious crime prevention order, which will remain in place for five years. | |
| Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. | Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. |
| Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices | Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices |