Sunderland thug had ‘dangerous chemistry set’ and handbook on how to make explosives

Andrew Tait, of Sunderland, pleaded guilty to having explosive substances but said he was just wanting to experiment with them having studied chemistry at the Open University

A convicted thug was caught with a “dangerous chemistry set” and a handbook on how to make explosive devices from various substances.

Andrew Tait had collected chemicals which could be used to make improvised explosive devices and also had other “items of concern” at his family home in Sunderland.

Police went to the address on Pennywell Road, on April 26 this year, where he lives with his partner and her child, after receiving intelligence that there may be explosives at the property.

After a search of the house and an outhouse, they found 11 chemicals which could be used in combination to make an explosive device, including a litre of hydrogen peroxide. They also found fireworks, including aerial shells with fuses that were for professional use only, a spent smoke grenade, spent ammunition cartridges, a 3D printer with 3D printed knuckle dusters and laboratory equipment.

Clare Anderson, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court the seized substances were examined in a forensic explosives laboratory. While individually the chemicals had legitimate uses, they could be used in combination to make a viable explosive devices, she told the court.

Various documents were also seized and Miss Anderson said: “They contained information on the manufacture of explosives, including detonators and information on switches and triggers that could be used in an IED. The documents lacked detail and extra knowledge would be required to construct an IED.”

The court heard there was a handbook detailing the chemical combinations that could be put together to make an explosive. Miss Anderson said texts were also recovered from his phone showing he had “engaged in conversation with others about far-right ideology”.

When interviewed by police, Tait admitted possessing the chemicals but said he was “pursuing legitimate education work having studied chemistry at the Open University”. He went on to give a prepared statement in which he said he had no intention of making a bomb or explosive or manufacturing anything that could be used to cause harm to anyone else.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of having an explosive substance, relating to the chemicals and fireworks, on the basis he was “interested in experimenting with them” but that he didn’t make any of the explosives or dangerous items described in the written material he was found.

He accepted holding the substances presented a risk to others and said he had bought the chemicals online, saying he had no idea it was illegal to possess them. He said the fireworks had belonged to his deceased dad.

Tait, who has eight previous convictions and was given an indefinite sentence for public protection in 2008 for wounding with intent and GBH, from which he was released in 2020, was jailed for 12 months.

Josh Normanton, defending, said there was no link between the “far right” texts and his possession of the material and said they should be disregarded. He added: “He has done something stupid. He wanted to do some experimentation and didn’t fully appreciate what he was doing was wrong.

The Chronicle