British Army chef from Chesterfield admits possessing firearm but denies having explosives
Mark Broadhurst, 27, was arrested in September 2024 and was charged with having an explosive substance and possession of a firearm without a licence
Last updated 13th Mar 2026
A British Army chef has admitted possessing a firearm but denied having explosives, including a homemade “cannon” and black powder.
Mark Broadhurst, 27, was arrested in September 2024 and was charged with having an explosive substance and possession of a firearm without a licence after two homes in Chesterfield and Bolsover, Derbyshire, were searched.
The defendant, from Chesterfield, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday via a videolink to deny having various quantities of low explosive black powder, sulphur powder and an “improvised homemade cannon” on or before September 25.
But he admitted having a firearm on the same date.
He previously gave his address as Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
A two-week trial has been set at Sheffield Crown Court for June 29.
Broadhurst, who was suspended by the British Army, was granted continued conditional bail.