Zoe Watts, a former Lincoln-based police community support officer, faces imprisonment after being convicted of endeavouring to produce an unauthorised firearm using 3D printing technology. Watts, aged 38 and resident of St Helen’s Avenue, was found to be in possession of a variety of firearm components, encompassing parts for a semi-automatic weapon, following a police search of her property in December of the previous year.
Contrary to her assertions that the components produced through 3D printing were purposed for a ‘fidget’ toy gun, it was presented in court that these parts, if correctly assembled, could have produced a deadly weapon. Watts, who formerly administered a survivalism-themed YouTube channel, was already recognised by law enforcement and had experienced imprisonment in 2021 for the possession of prohibited weapons and explosive materials.
A sentence is expected to be handed down on 8th August, with Judge Simon Hirst requesting an evaluation of Watts’ potential danger level, setting a spotlight on the severity of the charges held against her and her past criminal incidents.
The account of this news was initially reported by BBC.com and then revised for publication by The Lincoln Post.