Man admits bomb threat that led to street evacuation

A man has admitted a bomb threat with a homemade device that led to a Glasgow street being evacuated.

Christopher Scarr, 51, was found with the device in a cupboard at the property in Petershill Road, Springburn.

About 60 residents were forced to leave their homes on 17 April last year, with many not allowed to return for days.

Scarr pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and possessing an explosive substance.

The court heard how Scarr emailed a doctor's surgery claiming he had built a bomb.

He wrote: "I have built a TRI factor bomb with black powder igniting the thermite and causing nitrogen high explosive all connected to three anti-personal percussion mines that are also friction activated.

"I don't want to kill anybody but I'm finding it hard to keep my cool."

Members of staff alerted police to the email.

Officers raided his property and found a device made of three black tubes with orange wire twisted on to a black box.

Scarr was arrested and police evacuated all residents from the building. There was a 200m (656ft) police cordon and road closures.

The device was later found to be three outdoor pyrotechnics linked together that would flash and bang when activated.

Prosecutor Alasdair Knox said said: "The misuse or modification of such pyrotechnic items is a hazardous activity that has the potential to accidentally initiate any of the contained explosive substance".

Defence lawyer Greg Cunningham told the court: "He was at the end of his tether for his mental health.

"They found this modified purchasable item which would have a flash and loud bang.

"He has served the equivalent of a 22-month sentence on remand for something that has a loud bang."

Sheriff Andrew Cubie said he did not accept the explanation adding: "This isn't something that goes bang in a vacuum.

"He did this in the context which caused the staff at the practice to be concerned and called the police."

Sentence was deferred for background reports and Scarr's remand was continued.