Macclesfield man fights terrorism charges

A 47-year-old Macclesfield man has denied having a stash of terrorist material about homemade weapons and explosives.

Appearing at the Old Bailey in London, Jonathan Wilson of Abbey Road, pleaded not guilty to nine charges of collecting information contrary to the 2000 Terrorism Act.

Mr Wilson, is alleged to have possessed a record containing information useful to terrorism on 21 December 2023.

He is accused of having manuals on the manufacture of homemade firearms including a 9 mm submachine gun, explosives and a 3D-printed firearm.

Mr Wilson, who appeared before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb via video-link, confirmed his identity before entering “not guilty” pleas on all nine counts.

He will stand trial at Manchester Crown Court on 30 March 2026.

A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for 17 July at the same court.