ENOUGH TO BLOW UP A SKYSCRAPER; Ammo trial told of soldier's massive explosives cache.Byline: By Ian Read A SCOTTISH soldier concealed enough plastic explosives in his locker to "bring down a small skyscraper" a court heard yesterday. The colour sergeant told police he placed the seven sticks of PE4 explosives and detonators there for safety after finding them in a steel box. The 37-year-old, who can only be referred to as soldier X, denies conspiring to steal explosives from Howe Barracks in Canterbury, Kent, where 5 Scots is based. Soldier X claimed he first noticed a green metal box in his office before Christmas 2007 while preparing to go to Afghanistan, but did not force it open until February. He claimed his fingerprints were all over the explosives because he made them safe by separating them from detonators after finding them. He said a mobile phone signal within 15 feet of the "plastic" could have blown the barracks sky high. The soldier, who was said to be pounds 80,000 in debt, said: "As soon as I saw it, I thought it would be the end of my career... I thought somebody's trying to set me up." He did not call in Military Police, he said, because: "I wanted someone to own up." X's office was raided after ammunition and traces of explosives were found along with a heroin stash stash Drug slang noun A place where illicit drugs are hidden in the Dennistoun, Glasgow, home of Andrew Quinn, a former serviceman with 5 Scots. He was arrested outside his home in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, hours later. Sergeant B, 27, another soldier in the Recce rec·ce n. Slang Reconnaissance. rec  ce adj. Platoon of the former
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division. In 2004, as part of the restructuring of the infantry, it was announced that the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders would be amalgamated with the other Scottish , admits the thefts along with Quinn.
Another unnamed officer, lance corporal Y, also denies theft and conspiring to steal ammo and explosives. The case, at Maidstone Crown Court Maidstone Crown Court is a Crown Court in Maidstone, England. It, together with Maidstone County Court is located at the Maidstone Combined Court Centre in Barker Road. The Maidstone Magistrates' Court is at a separate location. The court was built in 1983. , continues. CAPTION(S): DEADLY: Plastic explosives |
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