Explosives plot ex-soldier jailed

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A former soldier has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for his part in a plot to sell Army explosives to associates in the criminal underworld.

Unemployed Andrew Quinn, 26, of Glasgow, pleaded guilty in June to the conspiracy to possess explosives.

He was the fourth man to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for the plot.

Quinn had served with the 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), stationed at Howe Barracks in Canterbury, Kent.

He had admitted conspiracy to possess explosives and conspiracy to dishonestly undertake or assist in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods. You knew that the people to whom you supplied would use them only for criminal purposes to spread death and violence Justice Akenhead

The explosives included detonators, flares, smoke grenades, distraction grenades and other munitions belonging to the British Army.

Sentencing Quinn at Maidstone Crown Court, Mr Justice Akenhead said: "Your involvement was a pivotal one. It involved procuring them from contacts in the Army, the paying of soldiers and selling them on."

He added: "You knew that the people to whom you supplied would use them only for criminal purposes to spread death and violence."

Serving soldiers Garry Graham, a 37-year-old Colour Sgt, and Martyn Fitzsimmons, a 28-year-old L/Cpl, both of 5 Scots were each sentenced to 12 years in prison on Monday.

The two men were found guilty on Friday of the same two charges following a three-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Their co-conspirator, Sgt Kieran Campbell, 27, of 5 Scots, was also jailed for four years on Monday after previously pleading guilty to both charges and coming forward to give evidence for the Crown during the trial.