Self-styled ‘science nerd’ jailed for turning mum’s shed into explosives factory

A self-professed science ‘nerd’ has been jailed at the Old Bailey for cooking up explosives in his garden shed.

Harry Whittaker, 33, called 999 for an ambulance after going into anaphylactic shock at his home in Caddington near Luton in April 2024.

He told paramedics he had been conducting experiments with chemicals in his laboratory and showed them the shed behind the house he shared with his mum. They were so alarmed they reported their concerns to the police.

Prosecutor Emily Dummett listed the range of explosive substances found in Whittaker’s bedroom and shed. They included: black powder; blank and a round of live ammunition; chemicals; lethal poisons; and suspected improvised explosive devices.

Police also uncovered radioactive materials and white phosphorus, a substance which can spontaneously ignite in air and is so dangerous that it had to be destroyed by the military.

Whittaker was found guilty of two charges of possession of explosive substances and two charges of making them last October.

Judge Simon Mayo KC jailed him today for 45 months.

He told Whittaker: ‘Your conduct gave rise to a risk of harm to others.

‘Although I cannot be sure you had the explosives for a violent purpose you spoke about it and contemplated it.’

Following his arrest, police uncovered a stream of racist chat on WhatsApp in which Whittaker directed hate towards a mosque in Luton.

In one message, he wrote: ‘We need a tank covered in machine guns and flame throwers, drive it into that mosque on Friday afternoon and turn them into mincemeat.’

Police found a handwritten treaty which included clauses such as ‘worship Hitler’, ‘avoid gays’, ‘make explosives’, ‘discriminate against other people of other religions and race’.

A canister containing what appears to be a burnt powder which had a home made label attached ‘warning, danger – extremely explosive, keep away from fire and children and use on Jews only’.

Whittaker also complained about the Government banning ‘anything remotely right wing while still allowing actual terrorists to operate freely’.

When he was detained by police, Whittaker was found in possession of a wrap of heroin, the court was told.

In police interviews, Whittaker said he used his lab for ‘experiments’ and was trying to collect every element of the periodic table.

He told officers that he ‘liked to have fun with pyrotechnics’ and was ‘astounded to be arrested for having an educational interest in science’.

He said: ‘I take precautions so it doesn’t harm anyone.

‘I don’t make things dangerous. It’s all just harmless fun, essentially.

‘I’m just a nerdy kid who likes doing science.’

Asked if he was ever reckless in his experiments he replied: ‘No, definitely not.’

He said that he marked bottles with a skull and crossbones because it looked cool. He denied that he had caused an explosion in his shed, saying the paramedics’ report was ‘horse shit’.

Whittaker, who has autism spectrum disorder, also told police that he used heroin in the evenings but it did not affect him.

Giving evidence in his trial, he denied having any previous convictions relating to his chemistry experiments or any racially aggravated public order offences.

Under cross-examination, he accepted that he did have one previous conviction for causing actual bodily harm which he admitted at Luton Crown Court in 2020.

The charge related to an incident in 2019 in which his mother and a neighbour had tried to stop him from reversing out of his driveway while he was suffering the effects of drug withdrawal.

Whittaker said he had inherited mercury and a live bullet from his grandfather’s home and had bought some chemicals online.

He said he was given a bucket of potassium cyanide by an ‘old guy’ he met while working at an engineering firm.

Whittaker had admitted a charge under the Poisons Act and having ammunition without a licence.

It can now be reported that Whittaker had been on bail ahead of his trial but that was revoked after he failed to attend court and was found in a distressed state on two London bridges.

Chief Superintendent Jaki Whittred, from Bedfordshire Police, said: ‘The upset and disruption within the local community following the findings at Mr Whittaker’s address was considerable.

‘Once again, I pass on my thanks and admiration to residents across Caddington for their support and understanding during what would have been a deeply concerning time.’

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: ‘By making improvised explosive devices and collecting such a toxic array of chemicals his shed, Whittaker’s actions were incredibly reckless and put his whole neighbourhood at risk.

‘Whittaker claimed he just had a curiosity with science and that he meant no harm, but in reality he put himself, his family and all of his neighbours in great peril.’

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