Army explosives 'found in locker'

The soldiers were serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Explosives were discovered inside a soldier's locker at an Army base, a police officer has told a court.

The locker belonged to one of two servicemen on trial at Maidstone Crown Court for conspiring steal explosives to be used by the criminal underworld.

The pair, who can only be referred to as soldier X and soldier Y, were stationed at Howe Barracks in Canterbury, Kent at the time.

Both deny two charges of conspiracy to possess and steal explosives.

Soldier X, the 37-year-old colour sergeant who owned the locker, and soldier Y, a 28-year-old lance corporal, were in the Fifth Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders).

The haul was uncovered during a police search of a padlocked locker at Howe Barracks on 15 February.

Smoke grenades

Pc Martin Farrier told the jury that after using bolt croppers to open the locker in the soldier's office, officers found seven sticks of military plastic explosives, 80 plain detonators, 16 electrical detonators and a total of 60 firing wires and safety fuses belonging to the British Army.

A search of the platoon storeroom also revealed a bag storing five smoke grenades and blank ammunition, plus further detonators and fuses in a metal container.

The court heard that a smoke grenade, three training grenades and a belt storing bullets were also found in a wardrobe in soldier Y's room at the barracks.

The men also deny a third charge of conspiracy to dishonestly undertake or assist in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods.

Two other men, unemployed Andrew Quinn, 26, a former serviceman with the 5 Scots, and soldier B of 5 Scots, appeared in court in June.

They pleaded guilty to explosives and conspiracy charges, but but denied a charge of conspiracy to steal explosives.

The trial continues.