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Bin man jailed after stockpiling explosives and military supplies for world disaster

A bin man who stockpiled 250 explosives and military supplies in his family home because he believed a “period of war and famine was coming” has been jailed for three years and four months.

Reeco Fernandez, 29, stored the IEDs and military supplies – which included arrow heads and ration packs – in his parents’ terraced home to prepare for a world disaster.

The stash was discovered after emergency services were called to an accidental explosion in his bedroom at the home in Bedminster, Bristol, in September last year, which left Fernandez with 22% burns.

The 29-year-old was today jailed for three years and four months at Bristol Crown Court after admitting five counts of possessing explosive substances for an unlawful purpose.

<em>Stash – Fernandez had hidden the IEDs and supplies in a cupboard under the stairs, a garden shed, and his bedroom (Pictures: PA)</em>
Stash – Fernandez had hidden the IEDs and supplies in a cupboard under the stairs, a garden shed, and his bedroom (Pictures: PA)

Fernandez stored his cache, which also included modified fireworks, ball bearings and chemicals to make further explosives, in a cupboard under the stairs, a garden shed and his bedroom.

It was found after neighbours dialled 999 after hearing bangs, a loud boom and seeing smoke billowing from the house when Fernandez unwittingly blew himself up, triggering a critical incident that saw 80 neighbours evacuated for five days while experts including explosive ordnance disposal teams investigated.

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Mr Justice Dingemans said Fernandez – who had no technical training – was “not associated with a terrorist organisation” but had exposed himself, his family and neighbours to “real harm”.

The judge said the incident had been “immensely frightening” for those close to the house at the time of the explosion, including children who were playing in nearby gardens.

<em>Eccentric – a psychologist found Fernandez had an eccentric belief about what the future holds </em>
Eccentric – a psychologist found Fernandez had an eccentric belief about what the future holds

He said: “There was no evidence of terrorism. The explosion was an immensely misguided act which exposed yourself and others who you loved and your neighbours to real harm.”

Avon and Somerset Police found Fernandez had been buying chemicals online for several years before the blast, with footage from his mobile phone detailing experiments he carried out on explosives in woods close to his home.

Representing Fernandez, Mary Cowe said a psychologist found he had an “eccentric belief about what the future holds”.

She said: “He talked about being told in 2013 that a period of war and famine was coming and he could do something about it.”