UK bombmaker found with cocktail of explosive substances in homemade laboratory convicted

A self-proclaimed “nerdy kid” who tried building his own bombs in his mother’s back garden has been found guilty today after prosecutors proved he wasn’t just a scientist experimenting at home – and had in fact committed a serious criminal offence.

Harry Whittaker, 32, of Caddington in Bedfordshire, claimed he just had an interest in science and that his actions were “harmless fun” when the authorities were alerted to his homemade laboratory in April 2024 – but after reviewing a police file the Crown Prosecution Service decided to prosecute Whittaker for his dangerous actions.

Upon searching the sheds in his mother’s garden, police discovered a range of explosive substances and mixtures, as well as poisonous materials.

Investigators also found a manual which detailed how to make explosive devices. During police interview he told officers he was “just a nerdy kid doing science” and said he was a fan of the cartoon series Dexter’s Laboratory when he was a child.

Read more: Crown Prosecution Service (UK)