Bradford pipe bomb teenager is spared jail

A teenager from Bradford who made a pipe bomb which was found in his Nazi memorabilia filled bedroom has avoided a prison sentence.

The 17-year-old was found guilty last month by a jury at Leeds Crown Court of constructing the explosive device but not guilty of a terrorism offence.

A judge said that as the teenager had already served the equivalent of a 14-month-long sentence on remand, he was giving him a Youth Rehabilitation Order with various stipulations, including a ban from using the internet.

A week-long trial heard how the pipe bomb was found in a desk drawer in his bedroom after police were alerted through suspicious Snapchat messages.

Prosecutors said one of these messages was a cartoon-like image of a mosque being blown up along with the words: "It's time to enact retribution upon the Muslim filth."

Another was a picture of a pipe bomb with an image of the Bradford skyline and the message: "Incendiary explosive and home-made black powder. More to come."

The jury heard how officers found the defendant's bedroom covered in flags, including the swastika and the symbol of the Waffen SS as well as a laptop with wallpaper featuring a Nazi eagle over a swastika and the German phrase: "One Nation, One Empire, One Leader."

But the teenager told the court he never intended to use the pipe bomb.