A former Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) with a dangerous “fixation on weapons” has been slammed with a hefty jail term for trying to make a semi-automatic gun using a 3D printer. Zoe Watts, 39, has been jailed for eight years and six months in what is believed to be the UK’s first conviction of its kind.
PCSO Attempts to 3D Print Gun
Watts from St Helens Avenue, 123, was caught before the weapon could hit the streets. Police swooped quickly, seizing all materials used in the crime. The case marks a chilling new chapter in weapon manufacturing as criminals turn to cutting-edge tech.
Heavy Penalties and Ongoing Restrictions
- Eight years and six months in prison
- Forfeiture and destruction order on all seized weapons
- Five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order after release
Police Praise Swift Action
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said:
“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 sends a stark warning to anyone thinking of abusing emerging technology for criminal purposes.
