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| Ex-PCSO Zoe Watts jailed for using 3D printer to make gun | Ex-PCSO Zoe Watts jailed for using 3D printer to make gun |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Zoe Watts, 39, was handed a prison sentence at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday | 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, 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 has been sentenced 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 | 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". | 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. | He said it had "the capacity to cause mass casualties" and was capable of firing 33 bullets within 10 to 15 seconds. |
| During the trial, the court heard the 3D printer was found in a cupboard in 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. | 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?" | Two days before the raid on her home, Watts had done an online search for "Has anybody been killed by a 3D printed gun?" |
| The court was told on behalf of Watts – who was appearing by videolink – that she "apologised to the jury, to her family and her friends for putting them through this". | |
| It also heard that she "expressed her sorrow that it may have an impact on how the gay and lesbian community may be viewed". | It also heard that she "expressed her sorrow that it may have an impact on how the gay and lesbian community may be viewed". |
| Zoe Watts was described by Judge Simon Hirst as having an "obsession with weapons" | Zoe Watts was described by Judge Simon Hirst as having an "obsession with weapons" |
| Judge Simon Hirst described Watts – who is a trans woman – 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. | "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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 |