Jamie Nicholas Hudson: Police search finds assault rifle design books and 3D gun model

A former navy man has faced court following a search of his Port Kennedy home which revealed he owned a 3D gun model and “how-to” design books for automatic weapons. The discovery by police prompted the man to explain he was just trying to build a “water gun for (his) son”. Jamie Nicholas Hudson, 49, appeared in Rockingham Magistrates Court on Friday after the concerning police search, pleading guilty to one count of possessed a prohibited weapon and one count of possessed firearms technology while not authorised by a licence. Police prosecutor Sen. Const. Mick Fallows told the court that at 8.40am on April 28, 2023, Hudson attended a 3D printing centre in Rockingham where he requested a 3D model of a gun he had designed. When asked what purpose the model was for, he told staff he wanted to design a “water gun” for his son. Staff reported the encounter to police and a search warrant was granted for Hudson’s Port Kennedy home. Police found several how-to books on building automatic rifles containing detailed design plans and sketches, a 3D gun model, and Hudson also alerted police he had a gel blaster in the home. His explanation to police was: “I wanted to build a water gun for my son.” The shocking discovery comes as calls for better gun legislation were renewed after terrifying news of a school shooting at a high school in Perth’s north. Last Wednesday a 15-year-old boy allegedly stole two of his father’s rifles and allegedly opened fire from the car park at Atlantis Beach Baptist College in Two Rocks. At least two of the three bullets struck a demountable classroom, with students and staff inside. Lawyer Rita Sahadew said her client maintained the water pistol argument and told the court he had purchased the books and gel blaster online some years ago before they were illegal. “Your honour, he is someone who comes to court having previously served the navy for 28 years,” Ms Sahadew said. “There was no ill intention, he was using the books for research purposes . . . he says that he wanted to design a water pistol that was easier for his son to use.” Ms Sahadew applied for a spent conviction on her client’s behalf as he wanted to volunteer at the local fire brigade in future and couldn’t with a recorded conviction. Sen. Const. Fallows opposed the spent conviction, revealing Hudson had previously benefited from a spent conviction over an unrelated matter. Hudson was previously found guilty of beating his dog following a report to the RSPCA in 2017. “Although they’re not similar offences, spent convictions are normally a one-off,” Sen. Const. Fallows said. “I find it hard to believe this was just for a water pistol . . . this is very unusual.” The senior constable said Hudson “obviously didn’t learn anything” following his latest charges. Magistrate Anne Longden said she felt there were “no exceptional circumstances” that warranted a spent conviction. Hudson was fined $1000 fine and ordered to pay $264.30 in court costs.