An East Lancashire teenager tried to import a prohibited firearm to the UK and paid for numerous hoax bomb threats on hotels.

Marco Roberto Gill, 19, of Alden Close, Helmshore, tried to order a .38 calibre Smith and Wesson pistol to his home, before USA security services intercepted it.

Preston Crown Court heard the weapon was seized and a fake put in its place before the parcel, containing surveillance equipment, was opened by Gill.

Police then arrested the defendant at his address and seized the fake gun, the phone used to order it, and a computer owned by Gill on April 10, 2023.

On the computer, police found far-right wing political ideology and images, including information on Britain First, a far-right, British fascist political party formed in 2011 by former members of the British National Party. 

Prosecutor Paul Mitchell told the court that Gill also paid an online user named 'You're a victim now' using cryptocurrency to call UK hotels with hoax bomb threats using an automated message.

The user played an automated message that stated "Attention. We have posted an explosive device that will detonate at this hotel. Evacuate immediately." 

These hotels housed legal and illegal migrants seeking asylum in the UK on behalf of the Home Office and caused major disruption and panic in areas such as the Best Western in Nottingham, Holiday Inn at Rotherham, and Atrium Hotel in Feltham, which is two miles from Heathrow Airport.

Mr Mitchell said: "The staff that picked up these calls believed them, and all rang the police in panic.

"One manager and her employees say they are still anxious since the call.

"These calls resulted in hours of disruption, with a large emergency response in Nottingham including five police cars, two soldiers from a bomb disposal unit, and seven ambulances.

"The type of gun that Gill ordered could easily kill one or two people in short succession."

The Crown also submitted evidence that Gill harassed Nick Lowles, the chief executive of 'Hope Not Hate', a charity that 'exposes and opposes far-right extremism'."

The court heard that over a 12-month period, Gill sent 48 food deliveries to Lowles' address, and paid £300 to acquire Lowles' personal mobile phone number.

Lowles has been a frequent victim of far-right wing parties, with Gill causing him "considerable inconvenience and stress" that a perpetrator was aware of his home address.

In mitigation, Mark Stuart told the court Gill had ordered the firearm in self-defence, believing it would "frighten off any intruders to his house".

He said: "I submit the fact that he had not ordered ammunition as evidence that he did not intend to use the gun.

"He ordered the firearm in his own name, with his own credit card and to his home address.

"With an Asperger's and autism diagnosis, he will experience bullying in prison and will find it difficult to join in group work.

"He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and is still at quite a young age, under 25 years old."

Gill pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a prohibited firearm, three counts of communicating false information with intent, harassment, and making malicious communication.

Judge Neil Flewitt KC sentenced Gill to four years in custody and handed him a crime prevention order for five years.

He said: "You are now 19 years of age, but committed most of these offences at 18.

"You have no other previous convictions and have a diagnosis of Asperger's, a form of autism.

"I have read letters from your mother and grandmother who detail the history of family death.

"I have also read your psychiatric report and accept that the psychiatrist believes you are particularly vulnerable to extremist ideology.

"It seems clear to me that radicalisation was a factor in your offences.

"These are three separate offences causing a degree of disruption using sophisticated technology, motivated by hostility towards migrants, asylum seekers or those who support them.

"I accept that your diagnosis and young age take part in your offending. It is not necessary for me to consider whether you are a dangerous offender.

"Nevertheless, although you are not an imminent danger to the public, you pose a high risk of serious harm that cannot be contained within the community."