Wyverstone Parish Council chairman James Arnold who is accused of possessing prohibited weapons following a police search at his property in March is due to enter pleas to the charges in July.

The charges against 49-year-old, of Potash Road, Wyverstone, near Stowmarket relate to an Uzi machine gun, AK47 assault rifle, a bolt action shotgun and a self-loading rifled gun.

Arnold appeared via a prison video link from Belmarsh prison at a preliminary hearing at Ipswich Crown Court today.

At an earlier hearing Arnold admitted an offence of assault by beating but denied a further similar charge.

The case was adjourned until July 25 for a plea and directions hearing.

Police have carried out a number of controlled explosions near Arnold’s home.