A MAN who said he would “be a serial killer" in ten years' time has been jailed for 12 months after an arsenal of dangerous weapons and Nazi-memorabilia was found in his home.

Thomas Gill of Bangor Close, Eston, was arrested in March after officers raided his home and discovered weapons including crossbows, an air pistol and replica AK-47 gun.

The 25-year-old, previously charged with a number of offences including criminal damage, common assault and affray, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Firearms Act at Teesside Magistrates' on April 17.

Appearing at Teesside Crown Court via a video link from HMP Durham for sentencing, the court heard how Gill had only just completed two years of a suspended sentence for affray and criminal damage before he re-offended.

Prosecuting, Jenny Haig described what officers had found during the raid and that the Crown Prosecution Service had concerns that Gill posed some risk of harm.

She said: "Officers searched his property and inside they found a large selection of weapons, Nazi-memorabilia, and a panic room.

"Crossbows, arrows, catapults, many knives, a ballistic vest, some swords, smoke grenades, Nazi- memorabilia cannabis was found and a woolly hat with eye holes cut out.

"There were knuckle dusters, an extendable baton, ammunition and the subject of the charge of ammunition - a black air pistol, and an air rifle AK-47 replica."

Ms Haig said that Gill had been convicted on March 9, 2018 for offences of affray and criminal damage and that at the time of his arrest he had told a police officer he would become "a serial killer in ten years."

Ms Haig said Gill had already been prohibited from possessing firearms, air weapons and ammunition for five years at the time of his arrest on March 14, 2020.

She told the court that Gill had also been convicted for ordering a stun gun that had been disguised as a torch after it was intercepted by UK Border Force officials in 2016.

Mitigating, John Nixon, said his client had a limited record and there had been no suggestion that Gill had any intention to use the weapons that had been discovered.

He said: “They were ornamental in nature, there were various items in the cabinet, there were items hanging on pegs on the wall and effectively, they were on display.”

Mr Nixon said Gill did possess a shotgun cartridge but did not have a shotgun and while he had a BB gun with BB pellets, this had been found to be incapable of being used.

He said: "He (Gill) has a home, if he is able to get back to that home within six months, he will not lose the tenancy, if he's inside for more than six months he will lose it and will come out homeless.

"He pleaded guilty to the shotgun charge in the magistrates' court that was committed under section three, the BB gun was put as a new count and he pleaded guilty to that on the first opportunity."

Passing sentence, Judge Paul Watson handed Gill a 12 month prison sentence.