‘Patriot’ found guilty of possessing explosives and terror manual ‘to defend us from the Muslims’ freed on bail

A "PATRIOT" who compared himself to Bear Grylls is facing jail after hoarding an arsenal of crossbows, knives and gunpowder to stop a Lee Rigby-style terror attack.

Self-proclaimed survivalist Roger Smith stockpiled the weapons at his home because of "all the ISIS s***".

The 46-year-old said he wanted to protect his country and said he was being treated "like a Muslim" when his address was searched by cops.

Smith was found guilty of possessing 2.16 kilograms (4.76lbs) of low explosive black gunpowder, and 11 explosive substances, including hydrochloric acid.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how former lifeguard Smith, who has been released on bail while awaiting sentencing, was also convicted of having a document for terrorist purposes - The Anarchy Cookbook - a guide to making bombs.

The book has been linked to terrorist attacks including the Columbine High school massacre.

Jurors were told that that the cookbook charge, under the Terrorism Act 2000, was not an allegation that Smith was a "terrorist" or that he was "going to personally commit a terror act".

He was not charged in relation to weapons found at his home in Clifton, Notts, including knives and bows and

arrows.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley said that Smith was not "merely an enthusiastic amateur scientist" - but "had it in his mind" that he was going to defend the country from an attack by ISIS.

She said: "He had gathered his weapons, got his patriotic flags ready, and made explosives at home in order to do that."

Cops searched Smith's home after he told them he had gunpowder, but he insisted it was only used to get his nieces and nephews interested in science.

He told officers he was "disgusted" that he was being treated like a terrorist because they would be "fighting side by side"; when it came to an attack.

Ms Heeley said: "He was asked about his views on Muslims and ISIS. He said that ISIS was a threat to the entire Western civilisation, and that if there was another Lee Rigby-style attack, he would be the sort of person who would help to stop it.

"He has it in his mind that he is going to defend the country from an attack by ISIS, and he has gathered his weapons, got his patriotic flags ready, and made explosives at home in order to do that."

She added Smith was intending to fly an Israeli and Knights Templar flags outside his home along with a St George's Cross, "as they were part of his heritage and he was a patriot".

Smith, who denied all the allegations, had told the jury he had felt "pretty gutted, shocked and disappointed" when police turned up at his home to conduct the search.

He had previously spoken to officers about his chemical collection and how to get a licence.

"I had called police to help me," he said of his previous dealings with them. "I had sat down and spoken to these people. I shared my hobbies and interests and gave them opportunity to get to know me. I asked them if there was anything I needed to do – 'please tell me and I would make sure it was done right'."

Sergeant Timothy Cuthbert, who escorted Smith to the station, recalled him having a "Islamophobic rant about how he believed the Muslims were going to take over the country".

But Smith denied the rant, explaining to jurors: "The only way I can put that word 'Muslim' in a sentence is when I was outside the police station I asked the two police officers, before we went inside, if I could have a cigarette.

"They said it was 'it was okay'. They took my handcuffs. I think I said something along the lines of 'if I was really a Muslim radical extremist would I have called the police?"

Smith was bailed and ordered to return to court on December 16 for sentencing.

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