Pipe-bomb maker jailed for three years

South Wales Argus by Ailsa Chalk | Wednesday, 24 February 2010 | Click here for original article

A BLACKWOOD man, who admitted possessing an improvised firearm and making pipe bomb, was jailed for three years yesterday.

Darren Lee Tinklin, 24, of Waun Llwyn Crescent, Blackwood, appeared in Newport crown court for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to possessing an improvised muzzle loading firearm, making the explosive substance 'black powder' and making a pipe bomb.

Prosecutor Bethan David said officers executed a drugs warrant at Tinklin's home on October 21 last year, but after a search of the house, he was arrested for explosives and terrorism charges.

When police entered the house, Tinklin was using a laptop, which was found to contain various searches for making fireworks and gunpowder, but also downloaded copies of a terrorist handbook and encyclopaedia and a CIA explosives and sabotage manual.

The court was told the terrorist charges were not proceeded with after evidence showed Tinklin never opened or read the files.

Miss David said Tinklin pleaded guilty on the basis that he was not pursuing any particular cause, he did not intend to injure anyone or create risks, he had given up any interest in the far-right British movement in 2005 and he had not opened the terrorist documents downloaded on to his computer.

She said that forensics found that neither the firearm or the pipe bomb had been used by the defendant and examination of the “black powder” found that it failed to burn.

Jeff Jones, representing Tinklin, said the items were made out of curiosity to see if he could.

He said: “This defendant is guilty of serious offences, but is essentially a stupid person involving himself in things that could cause serious harm.”

Sentencing Tinklin to three years, the Recorder of Cardiff, Nicholas Cooke QC, said: “It is of some significance that you have had a drug problem. Drugs can lead to irresponsibility and irresponsibility coupled with explosives is very dangerous.”

Police found Nazi items at house

The court heard Tinklin previously had connections with far right extremist groups including the British movement and items of clothing bearing Nazi symbols and other slogans were recovered from the house.

Officers also found photographs of Tinklin posing with others in front of a “Blood and Honour” flag, a leaflet on the Holocaust denial and a book on Hitler’s domestic policies.

Mr Jones said Tinklin became involved in the British movement after attending “Skinhead music” gigs in the local area and agreed to join.

He said Tinklin’s membership ran out in 2005, but his interest in the group had ceased before that after he became “bored.”