Scots homes evacuated after police find pipe bomb ingredients in flat

Homes were evacuated after the ingredients needed to make a pipe bomb were found in a Scots flat.

Gunpowder and black powder were discovered, as were the chemicals needed to make it.

As well as explosives, hand-drawn diagrams, shotgun cartridges and a World War II helmet were found in the property in question, a court has heard.

Police Scotland called in bomb disposal experts from the Royal Navy to deal with the scene.

And police took the decision to get residents to safety after the "dangerous" items were discovered in a home in Old Shettleston Road, Glasgow.

And an explosives expert said today, Monday, December 15, 2025, that the items could have been used to make a pipe bomb.

The details emerged at the trial of Martin Cox at the High Court in Paisley.

Cox, 44, denies two charges under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. 

He is also charged with possession of cannabis.

Detective Inspector Stephen Palmer said a number of chemicals were found within the flat in February last year.

The court heard officers discovered a tub of Potassium Nitrate, a box with "a dark coloured substance or powder" and a bag of sulphur.

There was also a butane gas canister, fishing weights and metal pipes.

The jury was also shown pictures of what the officer described as "a workstation".

He said the workstation container tools and other items, such as gloves, PVA wood glue and shelving units which contained other items.

A hand-drawn diagram was shown to the jury which DI Palmer read from, saying it showed parts which had been labelled.

The labels included "mechanism", "spring", "firing pin", "metal road" and had an arrow drawn to one part with the note "opposite way".

He said a mixing bowl was discovered in the kitchen, as was a quantity of green fuse wire.

And he said that shotgun cartridges, "a World War II-style helmet" and a notebook were also in the property.

He told how the drawing also contained a breakdown of percentages for three substances - potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulphur.

And he said that the Royal Navy were called in to help them ensure the area was safe.

He explained: "The EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) from the Royal Navy.

"They deal with explosives - the bomb disposal unit."

He said there was a "strategy meeting" between police and the Royal Navy.

And he said that the decision was taken to "carry out an evacuation of the block", confirming the neighbouring properties were evacuated.

The officer confirmed to solicitor advocate Derek Pettigrew, defending, that there was nothing in the flat about any potential intended target, and "nothing with hate - no posters or leaflets or anything".

Forensic scientist Daniel Cratchley also gave evidence, and was asked about the items and substances found within the property.

He said the items were dangerous and added: "They could make an improvised explosive device. 

"That would be known as a pipe bomb. 

"It could rupture and propel pieces of the pipe outwards."

He was asked about any potential damage one could do if it had been made.

He replied: "I'd expect it to cause damage within close proximity. Within a couple of metres."

And he said it could have caused injury or damage to property if it had been made and deployed.

He agreed with Mr Pettigrew that he had not been given an actual "pipe bomb, smoke bomb or impact grenade" to examine.

And when asked if it was "all ifs and ands", he replied: "Yes".

The trial continues.