Books found were 'survival manuals'

TERROR suspect Nathan Worrell claimed he believed his collection of books containing bomb-making instructions were innocent survival manuals.

Grimsby Crown Court heard Worrell (35), of Cromwell Road, Grimsby, had told police during interview that he merely "glanced" at books including The Anarchist's Cookbook, Poor Man's James Bond and US Army manuals "out of curiosity".

He also had a copy of Mein Kampf, by Adolph Hitler.

He denies ordering the Anarchist's cookbook.

The books and videos outlining how to make explosives – along with a number of bomb-making "ingredients" – were found during a police raid on his flat on January 24.

Artist’s impression of Nathan Worrell who said he merely “glanced” at books including The Anarchist’s Cookbook, Poor Man’s James Bond and US Army manuals “out of curiosity”.

As reported, he denies possessing articles for terrorism purposes, between April 2006 and January 25 this year, including documents for making explosives and incendiary devices, 171 match heads, a large quantity of matches, several tubs of sodium chlorate, a quantity of fireworks containing black powder, and containers of lighter fluid.

Worrell, who is in custody, also denies a racially-aggravated public order offence between January 1 last year and January 3 this year, by displaying racist stickers with intent to cause mixed-race couple Mohammed Chowdhery and Susan Crofts harassment, alarm or distress.

When questioned about his hoard of potentially lethal substances – including quantities of weed killer and lighter fluid – he told officers he had them for mundane purposes.

He also said he filled a third of a coffee jar with match heads because he was "bored", denying it could be used to make a "pipe bomb".

Forensic evidence was also presented to the court.

David Farrell QC, prosecuting, said the fireworks had been "modified by breaking and removing the stabilising sticks, or the separation of the main charge and rocket motor" from the rest of the firework.

Kim Simpson, a senior case officer at the Forensic Explosives Laboratory in Kent, told the court the removal of the stabilising stick from the body of the firework could result in it flying in an "erratic" way.

She showed the court photographic examples of fireworks modified in this way to devastating effect – including one used to blow the door off a telephone box, and completely destroy a red post box, scattering the remains all over the road.

On one occasion, she said, "10 or 12" had been used to completely destroy a BMW, with such force the blast had bent the roof.

The trial continues

See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph, and www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk later on today for updates.