Man admits threat to bomb college and kill students

A man has admitted possessing explosive substances and threatening to bomb a college.

Jagger Strang, 18, was due to go on trial at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday, but pleaded guilty before it began.

He admitted possession of gunpowder and thermite as well as accessing YouTube videos about the manufacture of black powder and how to make a detonator from improvised materials.

Strang, from Stafford, also admitted making threats to kill peers at Stafford College and set off a bomb there in September.

The court heard he pleaded guilty on the basis that he had no intention to build a bomb.

The judge, Mr Justice Wall, said Strang would be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 29 June.

Staffordshire Police said it was contacted by a safeguarding officer at Stafford College in September.

It followed reports that Strang, who was a student there, had told other students he had numerous weapons and had plans to blow up the site, the force added.

He was arrested at his home the next day and, during a search of the property, officers found a number of chemicals along with gunpowder, thermite and a blow pipe.

A police spokesperson said Strang's mobile was examined and they discovered "concerning material", including a manifesto and internet searches relating to mass killers.

There were also instructions on how to make bombs and remote detonators, the spokesperson added.

Det Insp Dave Rowlands said: "This was a deeply concerning case involving threats that understandably caused significant alarm to the students that Strang talked to and staff at the college."

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