'Weapon obsessed' ex-PCSO told to expect jail

A former police community support officer (PCSO) with an "obsession" for weapons has been found guilty of trying to make a gun using a 3D printer.

Zoe Watts, 38, of St Helen's Avenue, Lincoln, was found with parts for a semi automatic weapon, a machete, bladed article, crossbow and bow during a raid on her home on 11 December.

During her trial at Lincoln Crown Court, Watts claimed she was making a "fidget" toy gun as a Christmas present.

She is believed to be the first person in the UK to be convicted of attempting to manufacture a prohibited gun using a printer. She will be sentence on 8 August.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the 3D printer was found in a cupboard during a 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 manufactured correctly.

Two days before the raid on her home, Ms Watts had also searched the internet for "Has anybody been killed by a 3D printed gun?" and read about a man who had been shot dead in New York.

Watts was previously jailed in 2021 after she was found with banned weapons and explosive substances and had also made an improvised explosive device.

Judge Simon Hirst remanded Watts back into custody.

"Given the previous convictions that Miss Watts has I would like a report on the issue of dangerousness," Judge Hirst explained.

"You know a sentence of custody awaits. I will decide on 8 August how long that will be."

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