Maximin Carter Jailed Five-and-a-Half Years for Weapon Cache in Abergwynfi Home

Maximin Carter, 51, from Neath Port Talbot, has been incarcerated for five-and-a-half years following the discovery of an arsenal of weapons at his former partner's home in Abergwynfi.

Police were initially called to Commercial Street, Abergwynfi, on 14 February, under suspicion of Carter attempting to construct an explosive device. This led to residents being evacuated and 'military resources' being deployed to search the property, which was subsequently declared a major incident by emergency services.

While initial concerns included suspected bombs, prosecutors confirmed that no explosives were found, only plastic bottles filled with polystyrene. However, the search uncovered an air rifle, a 'ninja' sword, a knuckle duster, and four telescopic truncheons. Carter's ex-partner had alerted police, expressing concerns about the weapons and noting his unauthorised presence at her home. The court heard the property was in disarray, leading her to suspect 'booby traps' had been set.

Carter pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court in March to possessing a banned weapon and six counts of possessing an offensive weapon. Images of the various weapons, including the air rifle with a self-contained gas cartridge, were presented in court, underscoring his evident 'interest in armoury and weaponry'.

His defence attributed his actions to a domestic breakdown, stating he had 'reached rock bottom' and was now correctly medicated. Judge Huw Rees cited a previous caution and the 'substantial quantity of ammunition' found with the banned weapon as aggravating factors. Carter, appearing via video link from Swansea prison, will serve 40% of his sentence in custody, with the remainder on licence.