Ciaran Maxwell (pictured), 30, of Exminster, Devon, is accused of stashing 'military grade' explosives and weapons in 12 purpose-built caches in England and Northern Ireland

A Royal Marine accused of Northern Ireland-linked terror offences including storing 'military grade' bomb components in secret arms caches has appeared in court over a fraud charge.

Ciaran Maxwell, of Exminster, Devon, is accused of buying chemicals and parts for bombs which were allegedly stored alongside a pistol and ammunition in 12 purpose-built caches in England and Northern Ireland.

The 30-year-old, who is based in Taunton, Somerset, also allegedly compiled a library of terrorism documents, including instructions on how to make explosives and tactics used by terrorist organisations.

Today, Maxwell appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court where he was accused of possessing copies of bank cards to be used for between November 2015 and August 2016.

He also faced a charge of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Flanked by four plain-clothed officers in the dock, Maxwell pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The terror charge was not put to him, but will be tried in conjunction with the other alleged offences at Crown Court.

That charge alleges that he assisted another to commit acts of terrorism between January 2011 and August 2016.

Maxwell was arrested on August 24 in a planned swoop after members of the public found hauls of dissident republican-related weapons in three different locations.

Maxwell, who wore a grey tracksuit for the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London (pictured), is also charged with possessing articles in connection with use for fraud and possessing cannabis with intent to supply

Two separate hauls of weapons were discovered in Carnfunnock and Capanagh parks near Larne, Co Antrim, within three months of each other.

Officers found ammonium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate and erythritol, which are used in the making of high explosives, at Carnfunnock.

At Capanagh, officers found three barrels full of explosives and component parts. One barrel allegedly contained a hand gun, ammunition and magazine rounds as well as five pipe bombs with a fuse attached.

Maxwell is believed to live in Exminster with his partner Kerry O'Callaghan, 29, and their son

There was also a discovery at the Powderham New Plantation in Exeter.

The terror charge alleges that Maxwell manufactured explosive substances and constructed explosive devices.

He is accused of carrying out research resulting in the creation of a library of documents likely to be useful to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

It alleges that the information regards 'the manufacture of explosive substances, the construction of explosive devices and tactics used by terrorist organisations'.

Maxwell is also charged with getting an image of an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pass card and items of PSNI uniform.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on September 19.

Maxwell is believed to live in Exminster with his partner Kerry O'Callaghan, 29, and their son.

A picture on Ms O'Callaghan's Facebook profile shows their infant son proudly wearing his father's green beret.