A builder who claimed to have fought for the Wagner Group while attending a Suffolk event has been jailed. 

Piotr Kucharski, of The Glebe in Watford, attended a Viking re-enactment in Stonham Aspal on October 28 of last year. 

The 49-year-old wore combat clothing with badges and insignia for the proscribed terror organisation and witnesses said the Polish national had told them he had joined the Wagner Group and fought for the organisation in Ukraine. 

Kucharski repeated the same claim in several Facebook posts and in messages to contacts. 

READ MORE: Jailed in October: The Suffolk criminals put behind bars last month

He was arrested by Suffolk police after becoming aggressive, brandishing a dagger at attendees and making a throat slitting gesture. 

During a search of his home, officers found a picture of Adolf Hitler, a copy of Mein Kampf and other fascist memorabilia. 

After previously claiming he was only pretending to be a member of the terror organisation, Kucharski admitted to the offence in August and appeared for sentencing at the Old Bailey on Friday, November 1. 

He was jailed for two-and-a-half years with a further year on extended licence for professing to be a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation. 

READ MORE: Court

At the sentencing Judge Mark Lucraft KC told the defendant: "In relation to the items found at your home, you said that you were interested in Second World War memorabilia, that you had purchased Mein Kampf because you thought it to be a sound financial investment, and the painting of Hitler was on display to prevent it from becoming damaged by mould in storage. 

"Whilst I accept the freedom of expression and of speech that is a benefit of living in the UK, what concerns me here is the lack of understanding on your part of the impact of some of what you were saying and doing."

Counter Terrorism Policing have said there is no evidence to suggest Kucharski's claims were true but that professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation is a serious offence under terror laws.