A GUN fanatic was last night starting a five-year prison sentence for amassing a huge collection of weapons at his remote farm cottage.

Police discovered the deadly arsenal when they went to Kenneth Ward’s home to speak to him about reports of flashing.

Stunned officers also found a loaded Luger pistol under the 64-year-old’s pillow and even the cockpit from a fighter jet in an outbuilding.

Ward – described as a world authority on military memorabilia – had a vast collection of machine guns, grenades, mortars and ammunition.

Police found his cottage and barns in Chop Gate, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, had been turned into “museums”

of war artefacts.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday that the discoveries were made when Ward was arrested and questioned for harassing a woman.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said the bearded bachelor had been hell-bent on driving the woman from her home with his extreme behaviour.

Nearly every day for seven years, Ward exposed himself and performed sex acts in front of her – but he was never arrested.

Despite repeated reports to the police, he only received one warning – in May 2004 – after which his behaviour stopped for just a short time.

Mr Bennett told the court that Ward once walked into the woman’s yard, naked apart from his boots and socks, and “stared intensely”

at her.

On other occasions, he climbed ladders with his trousers down, and watched her through binoculars while performing a sex act.

She feared she was going to be raped and at times “felt like a prisoner in her own home”

through the “huge impact” of his actions.

Ward admitted harassment, 11 counts of exposure, three charges of possessing a prohibited firearm and seven other firearms offences.

Judge Peter Armstrong described Ward as a Jekyll and Hyde character after reading 24 testimonials from supporters.

While he was revered by military enthusiasts, Ward behaved “appallingly” towards his victim and made her life hell, said the judge.

The court heard that police finally arrested Ward in July after setting up a covert camera to see if the flashing allegations were true.

When officers went to his isolated home at Appletree Hurst Cottage, they discovered knives, bayonets and clothing as well as the guns.

Judge Armstrong described the haul – including the Luger, a Walther PP pistol and ammunition for them – as “a veritable arsenal of weapons”.

Mr Bennett said officers went to the cottage – where Ward’s ancestors have lived since 1640 – and expected to find an air rifle.

He said: “What in fact the officer found merited the attendance of a number of firearms officers and a unit of the RAF bomb disposal team.

“The area was sealed off while a systematic search for firearms and explosives took place.

“The firearms officer had been confronted by the discovery of a number of machine guns, aircraft cannon, rifles, pistols, flare guns and a large quantity of ammunition.

“A quantity of cordite explosive was destroyed by the bomb disposal squad together with what were described as training bombs.

“A large number of bayonets and military knives were also recovered. It was evident that the defendant had amassed a substantial collection of World War aircraft parts and antique militaria.”

Mr Bennett said experts discovered the majority of the weapons were genuine, but deactivated. However, some were illegally held in working order.

Judge Armstrong said he was “quite sure” those who had written references would not have done so had they seen the video evidence of Ward’s behaviour.

His victim was present to see the sentencing and said afterwards that she is considering legal action against North Yorkshire Police.

Ward was made the subject of a restraining order to keep him away from his victim and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which bans him from unzipping or removing his trousers in public.

His barrister, Deborah Sherwin, said the death of Ward’s mother and brother had a profound effect on him and left him traumatised.

Miss Sherwin said Ward’s “big passion” was aircraft and he was renowned around the world for his knowledge and collections.

The court heard that he had loaned some of his items to museums and his collection includes items which are the only ones left in the world.

“There can be no excuse for his behaviour,” said Miss Sherwin. “He has been quite candid that it was his hope that she would leave.”