Man held as part of terrorism inquiry had weapons

A man was driving with a stun gun and a baton when he was arrested after an alleged right-wing threat made to an Islamic event, it has emerged.

The UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall, in Barham, near Ipswich, was shut down and evacuated on 12 July as police, including armed officers, swarmed the scene.

Darren Brown's white Ford Transit was then stopped that day by police in Basildon.

At Reading Magistrates' Court on Monday, the 42-year-old from Basildon was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, for the weapons offences. They were not related to the alleged threat towards the Ijtima event, according to court documents.

Brown had pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing offensive weapons, namely extendable batons and a stun gun.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Brown was stopped in Priors Close in Basildon and police officers searched the van.

This led to the recovery of a stun gun and a baton, before a further search of his home saw officers discover a second extendable baton.

He was charged with the weapons offences on Saturday.

An alleged terror threat had been made against the weekend-long Ijtima celebration, prompting Counter Terrorism Policing officers to launch an investigation.

The event had attracted 15,000 people.

Brown was one of 12 people arrested on 12 and 13 July, and a 13th man was arrested on Thursday.

But on Tuesday, four people were released on bail, and on Saturday officers confirmed a further seven men were released without charge.

Another man was freed on bail with strict conditions pending further inquiries, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force added that the investigation has involved searching homes and vehicles, and more than 35 digital devices have been seized.

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.