Ex-PCSO accused of trying to make 3D printer gun

A former police community support officer (PCSO) accused of using a 3D printer to make a semi-automatic gun says she was making a toy fidget gun.

Zoe Watts, 38, was arrested after police found several weapons during a search of her home in St Helen's Avenue, Lincoln, it is alleged.

She denies a single charge of attempting to manufacture a prohibited firearm between 1 January and 11 December 2024.

Prosecutors in the trial at Lincoln Crown Court claim Ms Watts had attempted to make the weapon to "sneak past law enforcement".

The charge against Ms Watts relates to her attempting to manufacture a FGC MK II Nutty submachine gun that was prohibited by Section 5 (I) of the Firearms Act 1968.

Giving evidence, Ms Watts said her motivation was to "make a toy".

She told the court "Christmas is a very important time for me" and that she had used the 3D printer to make items for those important to her.

"If I can 3D print something rather then purchase it, that is what I will do," Ms Watts added.

Jurors heard police recovered a number of "fidget" or toy guns from Ms Watts's home and car.

They heard Ms Watts had also made a number of internet searches for toy guns.

She told jurors "weapons" had become normalised during her childhood and she also "carried tools" during her previous career as a PCSO.

Jonathon Dee, prosecuting, had earlier told jurors the initials of the weapon attempted to be made by Ms Watts stood for the words "F**k gun control".

Jurors heard police recovered a 3D printer from a cupboard in Ms Watts's home during a search on 12 December.

Other items recovered included a machete, crossbow, bladed article and bow and metal parts including screws, bolts and a "very short barrel", the court was told.

An internet search, which the prosecution allege was made two days before the police search, asked: "Has anybody been killed by a 3D printed gun?"

Mr Dee said searches made also related to samurai swords, knives and guns.

The court was told that the weapon was unable to work due to a fault in the manufacturing process when police tried to assemble the parts.

"The crown say she was trying to make a weapon, a lethal weapon," Mr Dee added.

"She says she was trying to make a toy."

He concluded to the jury that "this was a lethal weapon, you can make on your own and sneak past law enforcement".

The trial continues.

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