Bomb maker avoids jail sentence

Callum Atkinson downloaded instructions from the internet and bought chemical ingredients to make the explosives, which he stored at his family home.

The 19-year-old from Liverpool, who has since been sacked from the Home Office, filmed himself creating explosions.

Atkinson admitted possessing explosive substances under suspicious circumstances at Liverpool Crown Court.

Merseyside Police raided the flat he shared with his parents in May, seizing bomb recipes and chemicals, including sulphur, hydrogen peroxide and potassium chloride.

"Your lordship is not dealing with some lone wolf who is intent on wreaking havoc"
Anthony O'Donaghoe, defending

The court heard that the teenager had the capacity to build several kilos of high-explosives within minutes.

Atkinson, of Normanton Avenue in the Aigburth area of the city, pleaded guilty in September.

Judge Henry Globe QC, sentencing him on Friday, suspended the sentence for two years.

Anthony O'Donaghoe, defending, said: "Your lordship is not dealing with some lone wolf who is intent on wreaking havoc on society but an intelligent young man who was led astray in what started as a hobby and led to the inappropriate storage and usage of those materials he was able to acquire."

The court heard that Atkinson was a loner with no previous convictions.

He had no links to terror groups or extreme political organisations, and was primarily interested in making fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Criminal approaches

Mr O'Donaghoe said that during his client's time on remand he was approached by a number of criminals interested in his skills.

He said: "The custodial environment is probably the least appropriate for someone like Callum Atkinson, where those who have links to organised crime and unlawful intentions can make approaches."

Mr O'Donaghoe said Atkinson had rejected the approaches.

The judge said Atkinson's offence merited a custodial sentence, but he had taken into account his good character and his lack of intent to harm.

He added: "In the worrying times in which we live, all right-minded citizens are fearful of the catastrophic consequences that can occur from the explosions that you had the capacity to cause."

Atkinson was an admin clerk at the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate in Liverpool.

A spokesman said he had since been dismissed from his job.

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