Court hears teenager tried to buy Russian sub machine gun on "dark web"

The 14-year-old boy has appeared in Ballymena Magistrates Court on firearms offences.

Published 6th Apr 2017
Last updated 8th Apr 2017

He was charged with attempting to possess a Russian sub-machine gun and 100 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

A detective said she believed the teenager's intention was to intimidate another person after using the "dark web'' to try and purchase the items.

He had allegedly handed over #150 for the ammunition to an operative, police said, believing he could further purchase a machine gun.

He was detained at the Riverside retail park, in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, on Thursday morning.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between March 27 and April 7 this year.

Covert evidence had been obtained and police said they were downloading his online interactions.