A former Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) with a dangerous “fixation on weapons” has been sentenced to a substantial jail term for attempting to create a semi-automatic firearm using a 3D printer. Zoe Watts, aged 39, was given a prison sentence of eight years and six months in what is believed to be the United Kingdom’s first conviction related to 3D-printed gun manufacturing.
Watts, who lived on St Helens Avenue, 123, was apprehended before the weapon could be distributed or used on the streets. Police acted swiftly, confiscating all materials involved in the illegal activity. This case highlights a concerning development in weapon manufacturing, as criminals increasingly exploit advanced technology such as 3D printing.
The sentencing includes a forfeiture and destruction order on all seized weapons. Additionally, Watts will be subject to a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order following release from prison.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police commented: “This case represents the first UK conviction and sentencing for attempting to make a firearm using a 3D printer. Our priority throughout was to protect the public, and the swift, coordinated response of multiple teams ensured that dangerous weapons never made it onto the streets.”
Watts’ conviction serves as a clear warning to anyone considering the misuse of emerging technologies for criminal purposes.
Originally published by UKNIP.
