A TEENAGER caught with homemade explosives and books on Nazism in his bedroom is likely to receive a hospital order, a court has heard.
Jack Coleman was arrested on March 14 this year after his mother found ‘explosive substances’ in his High Wycombe bedroom, including an IED.
After she informed police about what she found, Amersham Hill was closed off by police to the public for several hours, including access to High Wycombe Railway Station.
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Coleman, who was 19 years old at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court to one count of possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose.
At a sentencing hearing at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday (November 15), the court heard Coleman, now 20 years old, is likely to receive a hospital order due to his recent diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.
The court heard that Coleman’s mother had been in his bedroom and had become ‘concerned about what she saw there’.
Explosive devices including 53g of black powder were found alongside books about how to make IEDs, Nazism and the Cold War.
The prosecution noted that it is not believed that, despite the books, Coleman follows any of the ideology but that he had a ‘wide and shallow’ interest in general history.
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After the devices were assessed, it was concluded that though they could be ignited they were ‘unlikely to explode’.
Summarising the case, the prosecuting barrister said: “All the experts agree that prison is the wrong place for this defendant. He is severely unwell, although he doesn’t always accept that.”
Defending Coleman, his barrister explained that the 20-year-old has ‘severe autism’ and has struggled with his paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis, stating he baulked at the reference.
“It’s a weighty thing to be called,” she said: “He admits he has had episodes. He’s only recently been put on anti-psychotic medication.”
The court heard that Coleman is likely to receive a hospital order under the Mental Health Act 1983 but the judge is still considering whether a section 41 or section 47 is required.
A section 41 restriction means that someone under the order can only be discharged from the hospital if the Secretary of State for Justice agrees.
Section 47 allows mental health professionals to transfer someone from prison to a hospital for treatment.
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The judge was unable to make a decision on Wednesday due to the absence of a medical professional who was required in court to give evidence about Coleman’s mental statement.
It has been adjourned until Wednesday, November 22 at the same court.
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