David Boylett, a 62-year-old grandfather, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for attempting to manufacture a prohibited weapon. The National Crime Agency (NCA) raided Boylett's home in Telford, Shropshire, in July 2021, discovering firearm parts on a coffee table and other related materials scattered throughout the property. At the time of the raid, the parts were reportedly only 15 minutes away from being assembled into a functional firearm.
Investigators also found ammunition compatible with the intended weapon, an overpowered air rifle, steel ball bearings, and books on firearms and ammunition. Files recovered from Boylett's computer included instructions for making various firearms, including a machine gun, a self-loading pistol, and an air rifle designed to resemble a walking stick. NCA investigators successfully used these files to print a functional gun and test-fire it.
During the sentencing at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Judge David Lock KC emphasized the ease with which 3D printers and online information can enable individuals to manufacture weapons for criminal purposes. "The possibility of an individual manufacturing something which could then be used in crime, for a mass shooting or any other illegal purpose becomes astonishingly easy," the judge stated.
The court heard that Boylett had taken steps to conceal his activities, including installing software that automatically deleted his search history. While there was no evidence he intended to sell the weapons, the NCA intervened to prevent the completion of the firearm. Boylett admitted to attempting to manufacture a prohibited weapon, possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate, and possessing a firearm without a certificate.
Boylett's defense attorney stated that his actions stemmed from an "obsessed hobbyist" mentality and an "unhealthy interest" in weapons, characterizing him as "incredibly naïve." The defense also highlighted significant personal trauma Boylett had experienced, including the death of his son, Joshua, shortly after birth in 2008. This event was part of a larger review into maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust. The judge acknowledged this tragedy in reducing Boylett's sentence by ten percent for his guilty plea.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Niall Conner commented on the severity of Boylett's actions, stating, "Boylett was in the process of creating deadly weapons that could have done untold harm to individuals in our communities. The depth of his research into 3D printed firearms demonstrates his obsession and intent with the tools in his possession."