Latest news with #SimonHirst
Sky News
5 days ago
- Sky News
Former PCSO jailed for trying to make 3D printer gun
A former police community support officer who was "obsessed with weapons" has been jailed after trying to make a gun using a 3D printer. Zoe Watts, 39, of St Helen's Avenue, Lincoln, has been jailed for eight years and six months after she was found with weapons, including knives and a crossbow, alongside parts for 3D printed guns during a raid on her home on 11 December, Lincolnshire Police said. She was also given a forfeiture and destruction order, and will be subject to a serious crime prevention order for five years following her release. Watts was sentenced on Friday at Lincoln Crown Court following a lengthy investigation that involved multiple departments. Judge Simon Hirst told Watts, who appeared at the hearing via video link from HMP Downview in Surrey, that he realised custody would be more difficult for her because of her neurodivergence, her previous police career and her transgender identity. The conviction and sentencing are the first of their kind in the UK for this type of offence, Lincolnshire Police said. She was arrested by armed officers last December, after she was pulled over while driving her car in Lincoln. Lincolnshire Police received information that Watts was buying illegal material online. Officers searched her house while she was away. They found an "Aladdin's cave" of weapons, police said. They also discovered a number of "worrying searches" online. Police said Watts had used Google to ask, "has anybody been killed by a 3D printed gun?" and was looking for ways to buy new weapons. She told officers she was creating the weapons as toys before she was convicted earlier this year. Detective inspector Gemma Skipworth said: "This sends a clear message that if you're doing something wrong behind closed doors, it doesn't mean you're safe and can break the rules with impunity. "3D printers are becoming more and more popular, and people are naturally exploring what they can do with this technology." She said downloading plans and using a machine to produce something like a firearm, means "you're breaking the rules" and if you are caught, you will face a lengthy jail sentence. "This case shows how committed my colleagues are to keeping the people of Lincolnshire safe and I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who worked on this case," Skipworth added.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Telegraph
Former PCSO with ‘troubling search history' tried to claim 3D gun was ‘fidget toy'
A former police worker who used a 3D printer to make parts for a semi-automatic gun has been jailed for more than eight years. Zoe Watts, 39, was arrested last year after police found a 3D printer used to manufacture parts of a semi-automatic weapon, as well as parts built to complete the gun, including springs, nuts and bolts. The gun was completed by police firearms experts but was not capable of firing projectiles and would have required further modification, Lincoln Crown Court heard on Friday. The former police community support officer (PCSO) was sentenced to eight years and six months for a single count of attempting to manufacture a prohibited weapon. Watts was convicted in June after jurors discounted a defence claiming it was a 'fidget' gun for a Christmas present. Judge Simon Hirst told Watts, who appeared at the hearing via video link from HMP Downview in Surrey, that he realised custody would be more difficult because of the former officer's neuro-divergence, previous police career and transgender identity. He said it was clear from evidence heard during the trial at Lincoln Crown Court that Watts, of St Helen's Avenue, Lincoln, had an 'obsession with weapons'. Watts also has previous convictions for making an explosive substance and possessing illegal weapons, which meant the ex-PCSO was prohibited from owning any weapons at the time of arrest. The judge said: 'You told the jury you had searched the internet for bullets. You had a truly troubling internet search history, including those who had killed and notorious murderers.' A medium risk of reoffending Watts had also used Google to search ' has anybody been killed by a 3D printed gun? ', researched weapons and was looking for avenues to buy new weapons, Lincolnshire Police said. A pre-sentence report found that Watts was deemed to have a medium risk of reoffending. Judge Hirst said: 'There was some degree of planning in that you researched the weapon and you purchased items you were unable to manufacture yourself. You searched the internet for bullets. 'There is no evidence that the weapon would have been sold or loaned, but the very real danger is that the very existence of this weapon would become public knowledge. 'The weapon was incomplete and it would have required modification before it was able to fire projectiles, but the amount of work required to make it operational was relatively limited.' The judge added that 'custody will be more difficult for you because of your neurodivergence, your previous police career and your transgender identity'. Lincolnshire Police officers were alerted to Watts's activity after receiving information that the former PCSO was buying illegal material online. Senior officers then planned an operation to arrest Watts, who was pulled over while driving in Lincoln and arrested by armed officers, while others carried out a search of the former officer's home. Once inside, officers found what police described as an 'Aladdin's cave' of weapons, including knives and a crossbow, alongside the parts for 3D printed guns. Watts claimed the weapons were toys in a defence victim statement before being convicted at court earlier this year, adding: 'I thought it was a good base for making a fidget gun.' Watts became aware of the FGC 9 pistol through an internet article but had no intention of making one, the court heard. Detective Inspector Gemma Skipworth said after the sentencing: 'This sends a clear message that if you're doing something wrong behind closed doors, it doesn't mean you're safe and can break the rules with impunity. '3D printers are becoming more and more popular, and people are naturally exploring what they can do with this technology. 'But it's important to know that when you are downloading plans and use a machine to produce something like a firearm, you're breaking the rules. And if you are caught, you will face a lengthy jail sentence - so please think about what you're doing.'
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Man used youthful looks to target under-age girls for sex
A man who had sex with three under-age girls after using social media to target them has been jailed for 16 Pereira was 21 when he used his "small size" and "young appearance" to help him target young girls in Lincolnshire, Lincoln Crown Court was now 24, of Wisbech Road, Outwell, Norfolk, admitted 19 sexual charges including six counts of rape of a charges also included sexual activity with a child, sexual assault of a child, sexual communication with a child, and taking and making indecent photos of a child. In addition to his sentence, Pereira was given a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order, preventing him from having any contact with the court heard Pereira had told his victims he was just a couple of years older than them after connecting with them on social would then use Snapchat to arrange to meet them for sex, the court was told.A police investigation found he engaged in sex with three different under-age girls during the spring of had also been in contact with two other girls and was in possession of indecent photographs, the court heard. 'Psychological harm' One of the victims told the court: "I know there are more people like him out there, but he is the one I am most terrified of."I don't get to grow up like other kids. He took that from me," she from Pereira's other victims were read out by the stated: "He looked young. He used this.""What he has done is absolutely disgusting," another sentence, Judge Simon Hirst said he was satisfied one victim had suffered severe psychological harm."Nobody could not be moved by what she said," he added there was also an impact on his other victims."You used your youthful size and appearance to persuade them you were much younger than you were," he told Pereira. 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.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
Teen given 11 years after stabbing boy with bottle
A 17-year-old boy who attempted to murder a fellow teenager by stabbing him with a broken bottle has been sentenced to 11 years in custody. The boy, who was 16 at the time and cannot be named because of his age, carved a letter on his victim's torso during the attack in Holbeach in July last year. He was found guilty of attempting to murder the youth, who was also 16, after a trial at Lincoln Crown Court in January. During a hearing at the same court earlier, Judge Simon Hirst said he was a dangerous offender and would have to serve an extended licence period of two years on his release. Jurors had heard how the boy left his victim for dead after repeatedly stabbing him on a piece of land adjacent to a school. During the trial, the prosecution said the victim was wounded after he passed out from drinking vodka, which had been bought by an adult from a local shop. The defendant claimed he had no memory of the attack and said his last memory was placing the other other boy on the ground near a bench. But jurors heard the defendant made a FaceTime video call to a teenage girl from the area in which he could be seen holding a beer bottle. He also made a threat to slit the other boy's throat and told the girl "his future is in your hands." Following the attack, the victim was taken to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham and placed in an induced coma after he was found lying face down next to a hedge with wounds to his throat and chest. Jurors heard the defendant had a history of being referred to mental health services and claimed to have carried out a previous assault on a friend, which he also could not remember. Karen Walton, mitigating for the boy, said he suffered from a number of potential impairments which could not yet be diagnosed because of his young age. Ms Walton said the boy was "self-medicating" and was "very intoxicated" at the time. The boy later spoke of how he was "truly sorry" for his victim, Ms Walton said. There was now the possibility of him maturing with good intervention. Passing sentence Judge Hirst told the boy he had explained his actions in a FaceTime call from the scene. "You smashed the bottle and said 'I'll kill him'," the judge said. There were a number of aggravating factors, including the victim's vulnerable state at the time of the attack and the damage done to his body, he added. An impact statement from the victim was read out in court. He described how he suffered scars that would remain for the rest of his life. "When I came round in hospital I felt very confused. I also felt scared and nervous," the boy said. "I was extremely scared I was going to lose my life." 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. Teen guilty of attempted murder of 16-year-old boy Teen denies attempted murder of 16-year-old boy Teenager on trial for attempted murder of boy HM Courts & Tribunals Service
BBC News
31-03-2025
- BBC News
Teen given 11 years after stabbing boy with bottle in Holbeach
A 17-year-old boy who attempted to murder a fellow teenager by stabbing him with a broken bottle has been sentenced to 11 years in boy, who was 16 at the time and cannot be named because of his age, carved a letter on his victim's torso during the attack in Holbeach in July last year. He was found guilty of attempting to murder the youth, who was also 16, after a trial at Lincoln Crown Court in January. During a hearing at the same court earlier, Judge Simon Hirst said he was a dangerous offender and would have to serve an extended licence period of two years on his release. Jurors had heard how the boy left his victim for dead after repeatedly stabbing him on a piece of land adjacent to a school. Facetime call During the trial, the prosecution said the victim was wounded after he passed out from drinking vodka, which had been bought by an adult from a local defendant claimed he had no memory of the attack and said his last memory was placing the other boy on the ground near a jurors heard the defendant made a Facetime video call to a teenage girl from the area in which he could be seen holding a beer also made a threat to slit the other boy's throat and told the girl "his future is in your hands."Following the attack, the victim was taken to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham and placed in an induced coma after he was found lying face down next to a hedge with wounds to his throat and heard the defendant had a history of being referred to mental health services and claimed to have carried out a previous assault on a friend, which he also could not Walton, mitigating for the boy, said he suffered from a number of potential impairments which could not yet be diagnosed because of his young Walton said the boy was "self-medicating" and was "very intoxicated" at the boy later spoke of how he was "truly sorry" for his victim, Ms Walton said. There was now the possibility of him maturing with good intervention. 'Extremely scared' Passing sentence Judge Hirst told the boy he had explained his actions in a Facetime call from the scene."You smashed the bottle and said 'I'll kill him'," the judge were a number of aggravating factors, including the victim's vulnerable state at the time of the attack and the damage done to his body, he impact statement from the victim was read out in court. He described how he suffered scars that would remain for the rest of his life."When I came round in hospital I felt very confused. I also felt scared and nervous," the boy said."I was extremely scared I was going to lose my life." 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.
