Face of the convicted terrorist who has 'obsession with firearms' hid weapons under bed at mum's Doncaster home

Nicholas Roddis was sentenced to seven years for his role in a bomb hoax in 2008, which earned him a lifetime ban on owning weapons, prosecutor Mark McKone told Sheffield Crown Court.

Roddis was jailed for possessing firearms in 2016 and 2019, and was two weeks away from being released from prison this year when police searched his mother's house in Mexborough on March 13.

A Milbro .177 M16 air rifle and a box of ammunition were found, along with a receipt in his own name dating from October 2018, when he was on bail for the second firearms offence.

"The facts suggest he has an obsession with firearms," said Mr McKone.

Another air rifle and two grenades were also discovered in the wardrobe. Tests confirmed the weapons were capable of firing pellets, but don’t require a licence.

Jonathan Rose, mitigating, said Roddis was " a foolish young man" but there was "evidence he had learned his lesson."

He said Roddis, who is autistic, has a "fascination with weapons and the army," but there was "no evidence he's a danger to the public."

"Obviously he cannot continue behaving like this," said Mr Rose. "He has a long time to think about his future. He engaged fully with the professionals.”

Roddis, 35, formerly of Grey Close, Eastwood, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon he is banned from owning for life.

On Friday, Judge Michael Slater said he would have increased his current sentence from two years to three if sentencing the new offence.

"When I first looked at these papers I was concerned about your psychiatric condition," he said.

"The doctor is of the view that you are preoccupied with collecting military memorabilia but not for a violent purpose.

“I accept you had it with the intention of adding to your collection."

He sentenced Roddis to 12 months, suspended for two years.