WHEN police raided the home of a former mercenary they discovered an arsenal of weapons and explosives, a court heard today.

Officers carried out the search after "fantasist" Norman Phillips was spotted selling extendable batons and other military equipment at a boot fair.

The 69-year-old pensioner was jailed for two years today after a judge told him that the find at his house in Marian Avenue, Sheerness, revealed "an alarming state of affairs".

Judge Jeremy Carey added that Phillips could have faced a maximum sentence of 14 years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that police went to the boot fair in Leysdown Road, Sheerness, on June 13 and saw that Phillips was selling the batons and hunting knives from a stall.

Officers then went to his home and found a high powered military flare, 97g of plastic explosive, 42 canisters of CS gas, three rounds of .455 ammunition, 48 rounds of .32 ammunition and 22 rounds of .38 ammunition.

Edmund Burge, prosecuting, said Phillips also had a collection of imitation firearms or weapons and bladed articles, which were not illegal.

A further search the following day revealed four detonators designed for use with the plastic explosive found.

Phillips told police he had been a mercenary in Bosnia and on his return worked in a military surplus shop called The Bunker in Maidstone. It was through the shop, he said, that he acquired the items.

He said the batons and knives were intended for sale at the fair but the weapons, ammunition and explosives at his home were for his personal collection.

"It is not alleged he has any connections with any terrorist organisations whatever," said Mr Burge. "He is a man with a fascination with all things military."

Phillips admitted three charges of possessing explosive substances, one of possessing a weapon designed to discharge gas, three of possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate and one of having an offensive weapon.

Philip Sinclair, defending, said it was "a rather peculiar case". The most dangerous items, he said, were placed on high shelves or wardrobes.

Although Phillips had certain views on war and religion, the probation service had indicated that he was merely eccentric.

"He presents as a pleasant grandfatherly fellow," said Mr Sinclair. "I asked him about his obsession with militaria. When I put to him about the trouble he has got into he put it this way: when released, he will not even possess a catapult in future.

"It is difficult to judge if he is genuine in that statement or not. Looking back at his life and the way he has behaved, he doesn't appear to be someone who has ever been regarded as dangerous.

"It would appear his military fixation is something that has been with him for some time. He has not attempted to use this equipment and has just gained pleasure by its possession."

Mr Sinclair said Phillips, who leant on a walking stick in the dock, was due to have a knee replacement operation.

"This is not a gentleman who will emerge from prison and re-acquire a collection of military artifacts," he said. "He is a gentleman who won't do it again. He is not fit enough now to put into action any plan. The police are now aware of him and he won't escape their attention."

Judge Carey said: "One only has to think of the possibility of an accident in this case to see just how dangerous the possession of such substances was in any situation, let alone a domestic one."

He told Phillips: "What I am clear about is that you have, or did, have an unhealthy obsession with military equipment, including this highly dangerous material. You, therefore, find yourself in a very grave situation."