A couple who stockpiled lethal weapons and discussed preparing for a “race war” have been jailed, alongside two people, one of whom is from Kent, who purchased firearms from them.
Thomas McKenna and Tina Smith were jailed for multiple firearms and explosives offences on Thursday (February 12) at Kingston Crown Court.
McKenna, of Buckles Lane, South Ockendon, operated a hidden workshop from his static caravan in Essex, where he converted blank‑firing Turkish Ceonic pistols into deadly firearms.
Forensic experts linked these weapons to ammunition modified by the 60-year-old and Tina Smith, 55, to cause maximum damage on impact.
Investigators discovered a viable IED containing black powder and shrapnel, alongside more than four kilograms of explosive precursor chemicals, another IED without shrapnel and detailed manuals on weapon construction.
Police said that evidence showed McKenna had used extremist language in private messages, including references to what he described as an “inevitable approaching race war” targeting immigrants and Muslims.
Officers also described one private TikTok message where the lorry driver wrote: “We are ready to blow s*** up, soon enough.”
Meanwhile, Tina Smith, of Chigwell, expressed anti‑Muslim views which had intensified in the months before and after the October 7 Hamas attack and discussed “shooting them all” in messages.
McKenna was jailed for 16 years with five years on an extended licence, while Smith was sentenced to seven years, with six to be served in custody.
Two people who admitted to buying a converted weapon supplied by McKenna’s criminal network were arrested in Kent during the investigation.
Allan Crosby and Ryan Smith, both 44, who were both prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, were linked to the items through DNA evidence.
They were sentenced alongside the pair for drug and firearm offences after admitting to buying converted weapons from McKenna’s criminal network.
Crosby of Etfield Grove, Sidcup, was handed a 10-year sentence, and Ryan Smith, of Morant’s Court Road, Dunton Green, was jailed for seven and a half years.
Met Police DCI James Tipple, who led the investigation, said the force’s strong partnership with neighbouring units in Kent and Essex helped allow them to operate undetected in other areas.
He added: “Now that we have shut down the organised criminal group, we made sure that no firearms supplied by McKenna or others involved are going into London, Kent or any other locations.
“We have had no evidence to suggest that any of the firearms that were distributed to Kent were going to be involved in any far-right attacks or any sort of anti-immigration demonstrations.
“What we do know is they will be in supply to organised criminal groups that mainly use them in street crime.
“In London, we were able to seize a number of those firearms and make sure that they were taken out of circulation.”
DCI Tipple urged the public to report any harmful or extremist material they see online to their police force or counter-terrorism units.
He said: “You can report it to Kent Police or the Met Police, depending on the location, but just making sure that we know about it so that we can take action where appropriate.
“We use every bit of intelligence available to us.
“If it is on social media or in the public domain in any way, we make sure we are covering that with the right resources to ensure that we keep everyone safe.”
