Pipe Bomb Maker Jailed

A man caught with a home-made pipe bomb and gun at his home in Gwent, Wales, has been jailed for three years, following an investigation counter terror police.

Darren Tinklin, 24, an unemployed builder, of Waunllwyn Crescent, Blackwood, pleaded guilty to possessing an improvised firearm, a pipe bomb and gunpowder at an earlier hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.

He was jailed for three years for each of the explosives act offences and eight months for the firearms offence, all to run concurrently - a total of three years.

The court heard that officers from Gwent Police were in Tinklin's home to carry out a drugs warrant on 21 October 2009.

During the course of the search, they discovered the pipe bomb in a cupboard under the stairs and the improvised gun, made from a copper pipe encased in wood and bound together with black tape, hidden under a seat in Tinklin's kitchen.

Police also found right wing paraphernalia, including Nazi flags and white pride T-Shirts in his home. However it is accepted that he has had no interest in right wing extremism since 2005.

Officers arrested Tinklin under the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

When interviewed Tinklin told officers he had made the pipe bomb and firearm out of curiosity. He said the black powder was intended to make fireworks.

Two men arrested with Tinklin were later released with no further action.

Tinklin pleaded not guilty to three further Explosives Act offences and they were ordered to lie on file. A charge of possessing a document contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 was dropped by the CPS.

DAC Stuart Osborne, Senior National Co-ordinator Counter Terrorism, said: "Darren Tinklin has pleaded guilty to very serious offences.

"Those who actively seek to manufacture these items are of great concern to us. Anybody who decides to break the law in this way can expect to be prosecuted."

(PR/GK)