Inspired by the 1990 Christmas classic, «My Poor Angel»a 60-year-old man installed traps y bombs homemade weapons in his house to protect his business from drug trafficking. He was sentenced to seven years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court. England.
According to a statement from the West Yorkshire Police, Ian Claughton developed «a defensive mentality that led him to take unusual and elaborate measures to defend his home and its illicit contents from potential intruders, drawing inspiration from the character of Macaulay Culkin«.
On 8 May 2024, officers from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organized Crime Unit (YHROCU), in collaboration with the UK National Crime Agency, carried out three raids at the same time at Claughton’s home in Brierley Road, Grimethorpe, and two other addresses linked to him.
During the operations, the authorities discovered a complex system of homemade explosive devices that simulated pipe bombs. Claughton made these devices from «scarecrows» – boom-type fireworks – which he placed in plastic pipes sealed with expandable foam and wrapped in plastic sheets.
These devices were strategically connected to tripwires to detonate in the event of any intrusion.
They also found human traps already active and sound warning systems. At the back door of the home, officers located a device connected to a trip wire, which, in turn, was connected to a 12-volt battery and an air horn.
In addition, they found various warning signs. One of them threatened that the entrance door was electrified with a discharge greater than the 50,000 voltswhile others explicitly warned about the presence of explosive traps throughout the courtyard and buildings.
During the raids, authorities seized a wide variety of real weapons, replicas y handcraftedamong them, a homemade flamethrower built with a fire extinguisher loaded with gasoline, as well as a crossbow.
On a seized cell phone, the authorities found a video where Claughton tests the flamethrower that he had built.
Finally, the authorities dismantled an infrastructure dedicated to drug trafficking and concealment of assets. On one of the adjoining properties, detectives located a secret room with a culture of 24 cannabis plantsalong with four bags of buds valued at 16,000 pounds and 1.5 kilograms of amphetamines.
Regarding the cash, a sum was recovered that included £27,000 hidden inside a sofa. Claughton had sewn it up to prevent it from being found.
It took the authorities three days Secure the area and disarm the bombs and traps. During that time, the troops drew up a 100-meter perimeter around Claughton’s house and They evacuated the neighbors closer until the bomb squad was able to deactivate all the devices.
«The modified explosive devices that the agents found in his home, along with other weapons, looked like homemade bombs and obviously caused us great concern, which was appropriately responded to with an interagency response to protect the public until military experts could declare the location safe,» said Detective Al Burns.
Sentence and conviction: the end of the road for Ian Claughton
The operation was possible thanks to the interception of a package at Heathrow Airport by the UK Border Force (UK Border Force).
The package, which came from China, was addressed to the home of Claughton’s ex-wife –Lesley Claughton-, on Brierley Road, one of the neighboring properties that were later raided. Upon reviewing the contents, authorities found five five-shot folding revolvers, known as «switch guns».
After confirming that it was realistic imitation weapons whose importation is illegal in the United Kingdom, the corresponding authorities were notified. This discovery allowed YHROCU to begin the investigation and obtain search warrants.
Claughton He was found guilty of importing a realistic imitation weapon, possession of firearms and drug trafficking and production. Lesley Claughton59 years old, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, although her execution was suspended for a period of two years.
