#booby-traps

#booby-traps

Ian Claughton rigged his home, in the former pit village of Grimethorpe in South Yorkshire, with tripwires and home-made pipe bombs in order to protect his drugs business from would-be intruders. About 100 houses had to be evacuated in May 2024 as police searched three neighbouring houses connected to Claughton and his ex-wife Lesley Claughton. They found a series of traps as well as a home-made flamethrower, large quantities of cannabis, amphetamines and cash.

Claughton, who was convicted of three counts of possessing prohibited firearms, possession of criminal property and possession of explosive substances, denied intending to hurt anyone who entered the houses, despite his workshop having a sign outside that warned intruders to prepare and get themselves measured up for their own coffin. He told the court he crafted the flame-thrower from a fire extinguisher to wow people during Bonfire Night.