Slovakian 'doomsday prepper' jailed after gun and ammunition parts found in West Midlands home

Stefan Fenyes, 47, of Warwick, told investigators from the National Crime Agency that he had a keen interest in survivalism and “doomsday” preparation.

Fenyes admitted the offences in April and was today (March 12) sentenced to five years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court.

The investigation began after the NCA discovered Fenyes had placed 227 online orders for items that could be used to produce live ammunition. These included tools for reloading spent rounds, specialist brushes for cleaning gun barrels and boxes for storing ammunition.

He was arrested on March 20 last year at his workplace in Royal Leamington Spa.

Officers later searched his home and recovered a working Czech-manufactured pistol with a loaded magazine and live rounds. They also seized gun barrels and component parts, along with the tools Fenyes had bought to make ammunition.

Military survival guidebooks were also found at the property, along with a number of hunting and archery items including crossbows and knives.

During interview, Fenyes claimed he had accidentally posted the pistol to himself while on a trip to Slovakia in 2024, saying it had been inside a fishing tackle box he sent to his UK address without realising.

He also told investigators he had been learning how to manufacture ammunition because it could be useful if the UK were invaded by a foreign state or during large-scale civil unrest.

Rick Mackenzie, the NCA’s senior investigating officer, said Fenyes had been “obsessed with guns” and was attempting to build up a collection of weapons.

He added: “Our investigation has removed a lethal firearm and live ammunition from circulation.

“While gun crime in the UK is among the lowest in the world, tackling the illegal supply of firearms remains a priority for the NCA.”