Overview
- Sheffield Crown Court jailed Ian Claughton, 60, for seven years after convictions covering explosives, prohibited firearms, drug supply and criminal property offences.
- Judge Graham Reeds said Claughton was a drug dealer who used weapons to protect his cannabis growing operation.
- Police found tripwires, crow‑scarer “pipe bombs,” imitation firearms, a crossbow and a homemade flamethrower shown in a video recovered from Claughton’s phone.
- The investigation began when UK Border Force intercepted five folding imitation revolvers at Heathrow addressed to his ex‑wife, leading to coordinated raids, evacuations and Army bomb disposal support with a 100‑metre cordon.
- Officers seized cannabis grows, 1.5kg of amphetamine and £27,000 stitched into a sofa, and Lesley Claughton, 59, received a 21‑month sentence suspended for two years, with a Proceeds of Crime hearing to follow.