AN obsessive loner who downloaded information about an al Qaeda attack and referred to himself as Osama bin Laden was jailed for importing illegal weapons.

Microbiology student Carl Barnsley was jailed for five years for importing more than 1,200 rounds of illegal ammunition and for converting replica firearms into useable guns.

The 24-year-old, who lived with his parents, was fascinated by Islamic terrorism and downloaded information about making bombs to his computer, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The court heard that Barnsley, who referred to himself as Genius Carl, was learning Arabic and had downloaded information on Islam, Palestine and nuclear issues.

Robin Patton, prosecuting, told the court that Barnsley had worked as a student on placement at the Porton Down military research facility, in Wiltshire.

Barnsley, of Fareham Grove, Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, admitted 11 charges under the firearms act, committed between January and September last year.

They included attempting to process expanding ammunition, possesing prohibited weapons, and manufacturing a prohibited firearm.

A student at Sunderland University, Barnsley had been finding his studies difficult.

Mr Patton said: "He had three pistols, one of which was converted to fire live ammunition, and two of which were being drilled out to be converted to fire live ammunition.

"He had tried to buy a genuine magazine for the imitation Kalashnikov to turn this into a real weapon."

Police also intercepted a delivery of 595 bullets imported from US to Barnsley's address.

Robert Woodcock, in mitigation, said Barnsley had allowed his obsessions to get the better of him.