Maximin Carter (Image: South Wales Police)
Last Updated: 17 seconds ago
A 51-year-old man who stored an arsenal of weapons at his former partner’s home – prompting a major incident, the evacuation of neighbouring properties, and the deployment of military specialists – has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
Maximin Carter pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court to one count of possessing a prohibited weapon in relation to an air rifle, along with six offences of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place. He will serve 40% of the sentence in custody, with the remainder spent on licence.
How it came to light
Carter’s former partner contacted police on Valentine’s Day after growing alarmed by what she had discovered at her property on Commercial Street, Abergwynfi, Neath Port Talbot. Among her concerns were plastic bottles filled with polystyrene, which she suspected could be explosive devices.
She told officers she believed her home had been “booby-trapped” due to the state in which the property had been left. The court heard Carter had been living at the address without her consent, in breach of a non-molestation order.
The emergency response
A major incident was declared and military resources were brought in to assist with the search of the terraced property. Residents in neighbouring homes were evacuated and took shelter in the nearby miners’ hall while the operation was carried out.
What was discovered
No explosives were found at the address. However, officers recovered a significant cache of weapons including an air rifle stored in a wooden box, four telescopic truncheons, a ninja sword, and a knuckleduster. Prosecutor Hannah George told the court a “substantial amount” of ammunition was also seized.
Ms George described the property as “strewn with various objects” and said a separate search of Carter’s own address made clear he had an “interest in arms and weaponry”.
Police interview and criminal history
During his first police interview, Carter confirmed the seized items belonged to him. In a subsequent interview, he responded “no comment” to questions put to him.
The court was told Carter has one previous conviction dating back to 1998 for three offences of possession of cannabis. He also received a caution in 2009 for possessing an offensive weapon.
Sentencing
Carter, of no fixed abode, appeared via videolink from HMP Swansea. Taking into account his guilty pleas, the court imposed a total sentence of five and a half years’ imprisonment.
Following the sentencing, Sergeant Kristian Burt of South Wales Police said: “This incident in February will have rightfully caused a great deal of concern to the people of Abergwynfi who would not have been sure whether their homes were safe due to the nature of the weapons that Maximin Carter had been amassing.
“We would like to give those residents a massive thank you for their cooperation and understanding while we made our inquiries and carried out our investigation following Maximin Carter’s arrest back in February.
“They can be assured that Abergwynfi is much safer now that these weapons have been seized.”
