Young man obsessed with Nazis caught in bedroom making 3D printer gun

A man with a ‘strong interest in Hitler and the Nazis’ used a 3D printer to make his own gun. Igor Ciesielski – who was described ‘intelligent’ – had not finished making the firearm when police searched his Bentilee home.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 21-year-old – who spent a lot of time in his bedroom – had components to make ammunition which could have been used in the pistol.

And officers found disturbing comments the defendant made about Jews and evidence of his strong interest in the Nazis. Now Ciesielski has been jailed for two years.

Prosecutor Laura Coton said police searched the defendant’s home in Beverley Drive, Bentilee, at 6.30pm on May 11.

Miss Coton said: “In his bedroom they found a 3D printer in the process of printing. He was printing parts to construct a self-loading hybrid gun. Most of the parts had been printed and some parts were unfinished.

“There was a lower receiver and an upper receiver. Both had been finished. He had all the metal fasteners and small springs that would be required.

“There does not appear to be any dispute that the defendant intended to and was capable of producing the firearm to completion had he not been interrupted.

“He bought bullet cases and there was a jar containing a propellant. There is no dispute as to what this defendant intended to do. There was an incomplete 3D pistol frame which appeared to be consistent with a specific type of pistol. But it could not be used in its current condition because it was not capable of being used. There were two Glock compatible magazines.”

Police found comments made by Ciesielski in a chat with a friend. They included, ‘I understand why Hitler was so p*ssed,’ and, ‘Bro, I want a Glock so bad it is unreal’.

There were also comments relating to hatred towards Muslims, his interests in the Nazis and Hitler and reference to school shootings.

Ciesielski, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a firearm certificate and possession of ammunition with intent to manufacture.

Nichola Cafferkey, mitigating, said the chat material was with a young Muslim friend of the defendant. She said one of the chats was in August 2024 and a second was in December and ‘there was nothing else’.

Miss Cafferkey said: “At the time he was a young man who was spending excessive amounts of time on social media and long periods of time alone in his bedroom.

“He has expressed an insight into the impact his actions are likely to have on the wider community surrounding him. It is plain he is an intelligent young man. He has been in this country since he was 18-months-old. He has spent his entire education in this country. Having left school with a number of qualifications he completed an engineering course. He is intellectual. On the other hand he is naive and emotionally immature.

“He is of previous good character. He has come to realise the stress and strain he has put other family members through his own actions and stupidity. He does express some remorse for his actions.

“He is a Polish national notwithstanding the fact he has lived here since two years of age. In the event of an immediate sentence in excess of 12 months he automatically falls likely to be deported by the Home Office.”

But Judge Graeme Smith said the level of risk and the seriousness of the offence outweighed other factors. Judge Smith said: “I have read references provided by your parents and a number of friends and neighbours who all speak of you being polite, kind, respectful and trustworthy. It is clear you are intelligent and resourceful. There is another aspect to your character which was clearly not known to your family and most of your friends.

“You said the messages were simply intended as jokes and were taken out of context. However disparaging comments about Jews are always going to be worrying in the context of someone who has an interest in Nazism. You are potentially on a path other young men have gone down.

“There is no suggestion by the prosecution that there was any intent or plan. This country has robust gun control legislation for a very good reason. Fortunately for society and for you, you were caught before you had finished manufacturing a gun or ammunition for it.

“I have to sentence you for the two offences you have pleaded guilty to, not to what might have happened, had you been discovered at a later stage. There is no evidence of any plan or specific intent in relation to the weapon or the ammunition.

“There were 250 barrel casings. I am satisfied there was a high risk of serious harm. You are liable to automatic deportation. There are exceptions to these provisions. One includes the possibility that deportation might be in breach of your convention rights.”

The judge ordered the forfeiture and deprivation of the firearm, ammunition and components.

The Sentinel