9:46am Tuesday 16th March 2010
A man who built makeshift bombs in his bedroom in Lancashire was jailed for two years.
Joiner Justin Cartwright, 38, from Penwortham, made crude explosive devices at his home in Woodville Road, and downloaded several terrorist training manuals. But his purpose 'was to stop terrorists', and he hoped to start a business training security officers to deal with extremists, Preston Crown Court heard.
Cartwright, a former member of the Territorial Army, had an “unhealthy interest” in the military, the court heard.
A firework containing a lightbulb, a plastic shell attached to a nine volt battery, an electrified wooden clothes peg, and a tub of aluminium powder were all found when officers searched his house in April last year.
A polystyrene block painted black, which was designed to contain mercury, was also discovered, the court heard.
The device was “highly foolish, highly reckless and a possible source of injury”, David Farrell QC, prosecuting, told the court.
Three terrorist training manuals were uncovered on his computer - The White Resistance Manual, The Proper Anarchist’s Cookbook and an explorer’s handbook for Muslim extremists.
The Army was called to evacuate his house, which he shares with his parents, and that of his neighbours.
Cartwright was arrested then let out on bail with an electronic tag two months later, but he was arrested again in October when police found similar devices at his house.
However, it later emerged the items were missed by officers who conducted the original search.
Mr Farrell told the court the defendant was “a fantasist” who was “plainly misguided and extremely foolish”.
Cartwright admitted five counts of making explosives, one count of possessing explosives and three counts of owning information useful to terrorism.
Judge Anthony Russell sentenced him to two years in prison. He has already served 308 days in custody, which were deducted from his sentence.
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