Two jailed for possession of explosives

Two men from Newtownabbey, County Antrim, have been jailed for possession of explosive substances with intent to endanger life.

Gary Logan, 27, from Ravelston Park, Carnmoney was sentenced to two years jail and two years probation at the Crown Court in Belfast on Friday.

Nineteen-year-old Martin Johnston of Fairview Grove, was jailed for 12 months on condition he serve 12 months probation on release.

The court heard the two men were discovered with two pipe bombs as they drove through the Rathenraw estate in Antrim last August.

Prosecuting barrister Christine Smyth told the court that when police stopped the vehicle, Mr Logan produced the two pipe bombs and a pair of gloves, saying they had just found them at the junction of the road.

A controlled explosion was carried out and the devices were found to be improvised pipe bombs.

Mr Logan told police they had been going to watch a bombfire on the estate and insisted they had flagged down police after finding the pipe bombs.

However, according to their defence lawyers both later pleaded guilty to the charge and saved what could have been a two week trial.

Judge John Petrie accepted that the pair "were assisting others and not intending to use them" themselves but said "a substantial prison sentence was necessary".