Man jailed over explosive chemicals stash

The explosives were found at Andrew Tait's home in Sunderland

A man who kept explosive chemicals and knuckledusters in his home has been jailed.

Officers raided the home of Andrew Tait in Pennywell Road, Sunderland, and found 12 explosive substances and 3D-printed knuckledusters in April.

Police said that while the substances were not in a state resembling a bomb it "did not detract from the seriousness of what was found".

The 42-year-old was handed a 12-month jail sentence by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting two counts of making or having explosives in suspicious circumstances.

Police raided Tait's house late in the evening of 27 April after receiving intelligence he was keeping explosive and hazardous chemicals.

A bomb disposal team attended as a precaution but were not required to make anything safe.

Andrew Tait also had 3D-printed knuckledusters in his house

A forfeiture and destruction order - which allows for the disposal or destruction of property connected to a criminal offence - was granted at the same court on Thursday.

He was also remitted to Sunderland Magistrates' Court for one charge of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Det Insp John Hopkins said: "I do want to be clear that the substances were not in a state resembling a bomb, or anything similar, and we did not have any intelligence or indication to suggest Tait was planning to use them as such, however this does not detract from the seriousness of what was found."

Police did not explain what Tait was using the substances for.