A dangerous criminal has been given two extra years behind bars after keen-eyed prison officers discovered "absolutely fearsome weapons" hidden in his cell.

Latvian Robert Kokins, 28, was serving a 19-year sentence at HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey for unlawfully possessing explosives and firearms when guards stumbled on a stash of improvised knives during a routine search.

He admitted possessing three blades and two mobile phone chargers.

Maidstone Crown Court heard on Thursday (Feb 24)that Kokin's cell was searched at 8am on June 21, 2020. Officers uncovered a blade in a toilet roll tube, a broken metal broom handle hidden under a mattress and a sharpened piece of metal beneath the seat of his chair.

They also found the prohibited chargers.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said Kokins began laughing when he was asked to explain the items and said he had no idea how they got there. The raid came two months after he receiving a further 28-month consecutive sentence for identical offences.

Judge Jeremy Donne QC told him: "I have seen these absolutely fearsome weapons which could have caused potential harm to prison staff and other prisoners."

Drug addict Kokins had originally been jailed in 2016 after being caught trading handguns and military-style explosives for cash to buy heroin and cocaine in an undercover sting by detectives.

They admitted at the time they were shocked when Kokins walked into a “fake” second-hand shop in Margate offering to supply TNT, nitroglycerin and AK-47-style semi-automatic air-rifles.

Det Con Karen Hearn, who investigated the latest offence, said: "Despite already being the subject of a substantial prison sentence, Kokins’ willingness to possess weapons in prison shows he has no desire to reform.

"The items found in his cell were clearly intended for just one use, inflicting serious injury on a prison officer or another inmate.

"The vigilance of prison guards has thankfully prevented this from happening. I am pleased that we have been able to support their efforts by obtaining this prison sentence."

In the original court case Judge James O’Mahony said: “I have never come across someone before who was prepared to trade in wholesale death - probably terrorism – to make sure of their next fix of heroin.”

Kokins posted pictures of himself on his Facebook page. In one he was holding what appears to be an AK47. Others showed men with hoods and guns and drug paraphernalia.

Kokins had asked undercover officers for £10,000 for nitroglycerin and handed over a sample in a foil believing it was the explosives.