Man learned about gunpowder on YouTube, trial told

A self-described "prepper" said he learned how to make gunpowder after watching a video on YouTube before then building an explosive device in his flat.

Ben Banham, 38, of Rokescroft in Pitsea, Basildon, said he only planned to use the explosives "in a post-apocalyptic scenario" if his family was in danger.

More than 80 addresses were evacuated on 10 March after bomb disposal teams found a device at the top of Banham's three-bedroom property.

Banham admits possessing explosives, but is on trial at Basildon Crown Court accused of a further charge of intending to endanger life or cause serious injury.

Defence barrister Ashley Hendron asked Banham how he knew how to mix the right quantities and ingredients - which were found in his three-bedroom flat - to make black powder or gunpowder.

Banham said he had watched a 15-minute YouTube video and that "it wasn't complicated to do", adding: "I was confident in my own abilities".

The court has also been told about a journal which Banham had kept, in which he referred to "Project Prometheus" and his intention to "protect the family home" in a disaster situation.

Jurors were read an extract which said: "All that remains is to plan the testing which will be detailed in Operation Shattered Silence."

Banham said he never tested the device and that his interest had "moved on".

But he admitted that he continued to make gunpowder out of "compulsiveness, impressiveness - it was my nature, I was a prepper".

He said he did not tell his wife anything about his activities in the family home, where they lived with their two young sons.

Police found a black cylindrical device, with a wick or fuse, as well as 1.8kg (4lb) in sulphur at the property.

Banham accepted he kept "a selection of dangerous items", including catapults and knives.

On Monday, the jury heard Banham had written in his journal that he had "decided to design a device that can cause injury or death to be used as a last resort".

Giving evidence on Friday, he said that he had "no intention of devising a device that could injure or harm anyone".

Banham was remanded in custody and the trial will resume on 14 September.

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