A judge at Carlisle Crown Court told ex-Staff Sergeant Roy Smith he would definitely be going to prison – but for no more than 18 months.

Smith, 42, of St Martin’s Court, Brampton, pleaded guilty to stealing five piston rods, three recoil rod assemblies and five firing pins – all from SA80 rifles – and a firing pin from the much heavier general purpose machine gun. He also admitted two charges of possessing prohibited gun components and one of attempting to sell one part on e-Bay.

The court heard that Smith had the rifle parts in his toolbox when – after 22 years service – he left No 39 Regiment of the Royal Artillery based at the Albemarle barracks in Northumberland in December 2003.

At an earlier hearing prosecuting counsel Chris Stables told the court Smith, who was an Armourer Class 1 had “extensive knowledge and skill with weapons”.

He opened his first e-Bay account under the name “Smudger24611686” (his military service number) while working in Northumberland. He traded in “military style items” – none of which was illegal – before deciding also to try to sell the parts he had in his toolbox, Mr Stables said.

By the time Ministry of Defence police swooped on his home in May 2005 he had already advertised one part – a gas piston for £4.99 – on eBay.

By then, though, e-Bay had suspended his account, having realised that what he was selling contravened their policy on firearms and militaria, Mr Stables said.

Mr Stables said the case was serious because the parts in Smith’s possession could have fallen into the wrong hands and been used to make decommissioned weapons serviceable again.

Smith will be sentenced on January 26.

Posted: 12|20|06 at 4:34 pm. Filed under: UK News.