Explosives
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Explosives Act 1883 makes it an offence to cause an explosion that is likely to endanger life or property, to attempt this or to keep an explosive with intent to endanger life or property. This is an extremely serious offence which is dealt with at the Crown court and carries life imprisonment. Explosives include petrol bombs, nitro glycerine, dynamite, fireworks and ammunition.
Perhaps more surprisingly, where explosives have been used to, say, steal money from cash machines, it is possible to be charged under the Explosives Act and also for committing the offence of theft/burglary. The two together could lead to a very lengthy sentence indeed. In one case £40,000 worth of damage was caused when a cash machine was blown up using acetylene and oxygen using remote ignition – in an attempt to steal £19,170 worth of cash! This resulted in a custodial sentence of 12 years imprisonment.
Lengthy sentences are also imposed for offences that don’t involve cash machines or theft. In one case, a defendant received a 10 year sentence for attempting to cause an explosion with intent to endanger life or property. In this case, the intended target was the defendant’s ex-wife and social workers connected to the family. Lesser sentences might be imposed on anyone found guilty of making or being in possession of explosive devices. One defendant caught in possession of 3 explosive devices was received a sentence of 3 and a half years imprisonment.
How Tuckers Solicitors can help you…
To discuss anything to do with the law relating to making, possessing or using explosives, please contact us on 020 7388 8333 or email info@tuckerssolicitors.com and we will gladly assist.
Our offices are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to deliver immediate and expert legal advice and representation.