Man sentenced over 'bombs' find

A man with an "obsession" with explosives has been given a community supervision order after police found two home-made bombs at his house.

Gregory Whittam, 20, made the improvised explosives after ordering chemicals on the internet.

At Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, he admitted two charges of possessing explosive substances.

The court heard Whittam, of Timperley, made the bombs out of a fascination for chemicals and explosives.

His activities clearly posed a potential risk to others Det Sgt Mike Abbott

Police were called to Whittam's house in Swan Road in July and found chemicals, unknown substances in crystal and powder form and sealed bottles of liquids.

They discovered one improvised explosive device in the garage and another in a drawer in Whittam's bedroom.

Tests revealed they were potentially lethal when combined and used with a detonator device.

Computers seized showed Whittam, who has Asperger's Syndrome, had spent time browsing websites which demonstrated how to make a bomb.

'No terrorist purpose'

Det Sgt Mike Abbott, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "This man had a clear fascination with explosive substances.

"Although they were fairly crude in their make up they did have the potential to cause damage and injury, particularly when combined with certain chemicals.

"There is nothing to suggest that Whittam was making these devices for any other reason than his innate obsession with chemicals and explosives. There is no reason to believe that he intended to use them for any terrorist purpose.

"Nevertheless, his activities clearly posed a potential risk to others."

Whittam was given a two-year community supervision order.