Man obsessed with explosives caused home blast

A man who once asked to throw a grenade on children's television has been found guilty of causing an explosion in his home.

Matthew Haydon, 48, injured his hands and chest in the blast in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property on 10 April 2023.

The judge, Mr Justice Johnson, said there were "complexities" with the case and he wanted further information about Haydon before sentencing.

Haydon, of Loring Road, Sharnbrook, explained to a jury he had been conducting experiments with substances on a microwave plate when it exploded in his hands.

His mother returned home and heard a loud bang from the home laboratory.

Haydon was shouting "help me, help me", having suffered burns and bleeding.

His mother put him in the shower and called 999.

Neighbours heard a loud thudding boom, felt their house shake and saw that the defendant's window had smashed.

After being treated in hospital, Haydon was interviewed by police and admitted causing the explosion.

Officers searched the property and seized chemicals, equipment, electronic devices and handwritten notes.

On Haydon's laptop were instructions for explosives and there was evidence he bought chemicals online.

He told police he was "obsessed with all kinds of weaponry, explosives in particular".

The court had previously heard Haydon had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which manifests itself in obsessive interests.

After he was arrested, he told officers: "I think I wrote off to Jim'll Fix It to ask if I could throw a hand grenade."

The explosion happened at his mother's house which had been the family home for 45 years.

The jury returned a guilty verdict by a majority of 11 to one after they deliberated for six hours and 40 minutes.

Mr Justice Johnson said: "It is not the most straightforward of cases and there are complexities."

Haydon was remanded in custody, to be sentenced at a later date.

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