Paul / Joanne Morris
Paul / Joanne Morris, a violent male who identifies as a trans woman and ex-soldier, was sentenced to seven years in prison in September 2014 for amassing the largest haul of ammunition and explosives found in the West Midlands in the preceding decade. At the time of arrest in November 2013 Morris was known as Paul.
Morris pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawfully possessing ammunition, four counts of unlawful possession of an explosive substance, one count of making an explosive substance and one count of illegally possessing a shotgun.
A parcel containing gun parts addressed to Morris’ home was intercepted by airport staff which led to discovery of the cache which included ammunition presses, bullet casings, expanding ‘hollow-point’ rounds, bullet heads, gun powder, plastic explosives, detonators, fuses and a rudimentary Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Local residents were evacuated while the weapons and explosives were made safe.
Detective Sergeant Craig Newey said “Counter terrorism colleagues were consulted over the find but there was no evidence of any intent to use these items for terrorist purposes. But there is always a chance these items could have fallen into the hands of people with sinister motives.”
At the time of arrest Morris was an ambulance controller and was struck off the Nursing & Midwifery Council register in August 2015.
Photo via West Midlands Police
Media Reports:
Birmingham Mail http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/jailed-transgender-ex-soldier-hoarded-stash-7714672
BBC http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-33951508
The Mirror http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/transgender-ex-soldier-who-hoarded-huge-4159157