Royal Marine 'forced to pretend to have Republican sympathies'

A Royal Marine who lived a "dangerous double life" as a terrorist bomb-maker claims he faked sympathies for the Irish republican cause because he was "paralysed" with fear, a court has heard.

Ciaran Maxwell stashed anti-personnel mines, ammunition and 14 pipe bombs - four of which were deployed - in 43 purpose-built hides at eight locations in Northern Ireland and Devon.

Bomb-making materials were found in barrels and buckets buried in the ground as well as an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pass card, a PSNI uniform and a stab-proof vest.

The 31-year-old, who is originally from Larne in Co Antrim, faces years in jail after pleading guilty in February to preparation of terrorist acts between January 2011 and August last year, possessing images of bank cards for fraud and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

The Old Bailey heard he researched targets and discussed plans to attack police stations and officers.

• Marine 'had 43 weapon hides' across NI and England

Maxwell, of Exminster in Devon, was a serving Royal Marine with 40 Commando based at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton at the time of the offences and was deployed in the United States, Cyprus and the UK - but not Northern Ireland - after enlisting in 2010.