A MAN with deep-rooted psychological and health issues made a bomb hoax, setting up a supposed explosive device in his house.

Richard Cavanagh made earlier phone calls threatening suicide and claimed if police tried to enter his home it would trigger a trip-switch setting off the device.

But, Durham Crown Court heard that after a two-hour stand-off, in which neighbours were evacuated, police talked him into leaving the property, in Burnopfield, near Stanley.

Only then, swift examination confirmed the ‘bomb’, made with an unknown dark liquid in a bottle, a battery, and wires, was found to be a crude imitation of an explosive device.

Angus Taylor, prosecuting, said Cavanagh claimed he had not intended to hurt anyone and said he was only trying to draw attention to the issues he had at the time, including alcohol misuse.

Mr Taylor said it began with phone calls to a pharmacist and the ambulance service, who alerted police, shortly after noon on Saturday October 29, last year.

When police went to his home in Briardene, it was not clear if the mechanism set up in his front room was a genuine explosive device, so an Army bomb disposal unit was sent, from Catterick.

Phone contact was made with Cavanagh, and negotiators eventually persuaded him to leave the house.

The defendant, 42, now of East Street, Stanley, admitted two charges of making a bomb hoax and one of making a hoax bomb device.

Vic Laffey, for Cavanagh, said he has significant mental and physical health problems, suffering chronic pain, leading to alcohol overuse

He underwent a change in benefits at the time, leaving him out of pocket, but these have subsequently been amended back in his favour.

Mr Laffey said that, plus two admissions to hospital for self-harm issues, increased the defendant’s stress levels, to the point where it, “tipped over the edge”, leading to the incident.

He added that since then, Cavanagh has received better treatment from a pain clinic and has sought help to overcome his drink problems.

Passing a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with probation rehabilitation and alcohol treatment requirements, Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC said it was an exceptional course, due to his “substantial personal mitigation”.

The recorder added that the emergency services made the correct response in the circumstances, handlingthe incident as well as could be expected.