Defendant appears in court nearly a year after arrest

A 57-year-old Sunderland man has appeared in court after being charged with alleged firearms and explosives offences.

Ross Airey was arrested in November 2025 after bomb squad officers were called to Sunderland Household Waste and Recycling Centre, in European Way.

The centre closed while Northumbria Police and Counter Terrorism North East carried out their investigations.

Airey, of Courtney Drive, in Silksworth, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court for the first time on Thursday, November 12, charged with possessing prohibited ammunition and possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose.

Airey was told not to enter a plea during the brief hearing and will make his next appearance at Newcastle Crown Court in December.

He was granted unconditional bail.

Counter Terrorism North East had earlier described 57-year-old Airey as “a British man” and added: “The charges were brought by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

“Airey has not been charged with a terrorist offence and the offences he is charged with are not linked to terrorism.”