Man receives suspended sentence for weapons offences linked to Islamic event threat
Darren Brown admitted possession of offensive weapons unrelated to threat
Darren Brown has been given a suspended sentence following his arrest during a counter-terrorism investigation concerning an alleged extreme right-wing threat to an Islamic event.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, Brown pleaded guilty to possessing offensive weapons, including extendable batons and a stun gun.
The offences were not related to the alleged threat against the UK Ijtima event held in Suffolk.
Brown received six months of imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was taken into custody on 12th July while driving a van in Basildon, Essex, where officers found a stun gun and baton during a search.
A second baton was discovered at his home.
Brown was charged with weapons offences on the subsequent Saturday.
The UK Ijtima gathering, attended by thousands at Shrubland Hall near Ipswich, was advised to close early by police.
Brown's arrest was part of a broader operation involving 12 others over 12th and 13th July, with an additional arrest made on the following Thursday.
Several individuals have been released on bail or without charge, pending further inquiries by the Metropolitan Police.
Authorities have conducted searches and seized over 35 digital devices related to the investigation.