‘Doomsday prepper’ Simon Pilgrim who let off homemade bombs in his garden walks free

An explosives enthusiast who let off more than 40 homemade bombs in his back garden walked free from court after he said he was preparing for a Doomsday event. 

Simon Pilgrim, 41, was caught with improvised explosive devices in his bedroom at a multi-occupancy property in King Alfred Street, Derby, on December, 5, 2021.

In the days before his arrest he had been searching YouTube for how to make a pressure cooker bomb, a Molotov cocktail, a flamethrower and an acid gun, the court heard. 

Also found in his room were pipes, black clothing, knee pads, a handcuff key, metal piping, peroxide hair dye, sulphur and body armour.

Simon Pilgrim, 41, was caught with improvised explosive devices in his bedroom at a multi-occupancy property in King Alfred Street, Derby, on December, 5, 2021

Mr Pilgrim denied three charges of possession of an explosive substance in relation to black powder, ‘rocket candy’ and pyrotechnic fuses at the Old Baily.

He also denied three counts of possession of a document for terrorist purposes.

The jury retired on Friday, December, 16 and cleared Mr Pilgrim of all the charges on Monday, December, 19.

He told police he was trying to create a safer form of firework and he wanted to open a firework store.

Pilgrim also claimed he was a ‘prepper’ – someone who is preparing for a Doomsday event.

He was cleared on all charges after a two week Old Bailey trial and claimed he bought a stab vest for paintballing and had also taken an archery course. 

Some 50 houses were evacuated until the bomb squad ensured the area was safe

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Prosecutor Emma Gargitter told the court: ‘These are all texts which deliberately set out ways in which to create devices or substances to endanger a person’s life or set out methods which could cause serious violence to someone.

‘At the time of his arrest, on 5 December 2021, Simon Pilgrim was living in room three of a multi-occupancy address on King Alfred Street, Derby.

‘His room was sparsely furnished, but in it were found 13 viable improvised explosive devices, along with a variety of substances and items that could be used to make more.

‘Although some of the charges contain allegations under the Terrorism Act, Simon Pilgrim is not being prosecuted for being a terrorist.

‘At the heart of this case lies his interest in explosives and explosive devices. This interest was unregulated, dangerous and without a lawful purpose.

‘Whilst the Crown do not set out to prove that Simon Pilgrim was intending to use these documents and explosives to cause injury to persons or damage to property, his activities did incur significant risk that such harm might be caused, even if inadvertently.

‘In total, there was approximately 307g of homemade explosives found, along with the chemicals to manufacture approximately 824g more.

‘In the garden were found the suspected remains of over 40 improvised explosive devices, blackened and burnt.

‘A steel Thermos flask was also found and seized from his room. The Crown say Simon Pilgrim had drilled a hole in the lid of this flask, indicating that it was intended to be used as a container for an improvised explosive device.

‘It is of note that amongst the exhibits there was a distinct absence of the chemicals used to make the colours usually associated with fireworks.’

Also found in his room were pipes, black clothing, knee pads, a handcuff key, metal piping, peroxide hair dye, sulphur and body armour.

In the days before his arrest he had been searching YouTube for how to make a pressure cooker bomb, a Molotov cocktail, a flamethrower and an acid gun, the court heard.

Following his arrest Pilgrim said he was planning to start a pyrotechnics firm.

Pilgrim said: ‘I make small amounts, I don’t want to make large amounts because that will get me into trouble.’