A TEENAGER accused of plotting mass murder at his former college in Newcastle told a jury sourcing his Glock pistol on the internet was like "buying a bar of chocolate".

Liam Lyburd, 19, said he would have used the weapon to defend himself if someone kicked his door in.

But he denied intending to launch an attack at Newcastle College in November, where he had been thrown out two years before, saying he "liked the place".

During cross-examination at Newcastle Crown Court, Lyburd said messages on Facebook he wrote about an imminent attack were a "wind-up" to try to maintain friends' online interest in him.

Nick Dry, prosecuting, asked if he was not taking a "big risk" in buying a gun and ammunition online if it was just a game.

Lyburd replied: "Buying a gun was just like buying a bar of chocolate. I didn't see it as a big deal at the time."

The isolated computer hacker also told the jury he never thought anyone would know about the Glock semi-automatic pistol. "I never thought I would get arrested, I thought I would keep it in my bedroom. No-one would ever know."

The jury has heard he wrote a note on his computer which he tried to delete but which was recovered by experts after he was arrested, in which he threatened a vengeful attack on the college.

Lyburd told the jury: "I like Newcastle College, truthfully. It was sad. I wish I said a different college, I like the place. There are worser colleges."

He said by posing for pictures with his Glock while dressed in a boiler suit and mask, he was playing a character.

"People on Halloween dressed as Ghostface from Scream - I don't see it any different from that," he said.

Lyburd, who also called himself Felix Burns, has pleaded guilty to nine charges relating to making five pipe bombs, two home-made explosive devices, possessing a 9mm Luger Calibre Glock gun, 94 jacketed hollow point expanding bullets and CS gas.

He denied eight charges of possessing those items with an intent to endanger life.

Asked why he needed so many rounds of ammunition, Lyburd replied: "I was watching videos on YouTube and the Amercians, they have thousands. You can shoot 100 rounds in a few seconds."

Mr Dry asked if he would fire those rounds. "If someone kicked my door in I could defend myself," the teenager replied.

Mr Dry said by watching videos online about how to load and shoot the weapon, it was clear he planned to use it.

Lyburd replied: "If I had to use it I would."

But he insisted there was no intention to attack the college and he did not want to shoot anyone.

The trial continues.