Man took grenades home from Ukraine War front line

A man who travelled to the front line of the war in Ukraine and brought hand grenades back to England with him has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Stewart Wright, 45, travelled to the conflict as a self-styled humanitarian volunteer and smuggled the items back to his home near Leeming in North Yorkshire, police said.

The Ukrainian grenades, which can be lethal up to 200 metres, could have caused "catastrophic" damage had they exploded, police added.

Wright admitted possessing explosives for an unlawful purpose and possessing firearms ammunition illegally at Teesside Crown Court and given a 24 month suspended sentence on Friday.

The explosives had been hidden in a vehicle driven across Europe and into Britain in 2023, before being stored in Wright's home.

"These are extremely dangerous items, and by possessing them illegally Wright put not just himself but other people at grave risk," Det Con Amy Sharrad from North Yorkshire Police said.

During a search of Wright's home, police found Ukrainian F1 grenades and Russian offensive grenades, which project deadly fragmentations up to 150 metres.

The fuses had been removed, but the explosive elements were still present and the items had to be disposed of by military bomb experts.

A carrier bag containing 7.62mm-calibre bullets, a 30mm round and a magazine containing a further 30 rounds was also found in the small bungalow, police said.

Officers said there was no evidence that Wright intended to use the devices to cause injury, but he had a fascination with the war in Ukraine and military items.

After being arrested, Wright, who also has links to Swinton, Greater Manchester, made no comment during police interviews.

Det Con Sharrad said he "seemed unable to grasp the severity of his actions or show any remorse".

Police said the grenades and ammunition had been seized and destroyed.

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