A FORMER school caretaker who made a bomb to deal with young yobs who attacked his home walked free from court today after a judge heard of his tortured past.

Grandfather Nicholas Smith, 53, declared war on those responsible for pelting his County Durham home with eggs when he posted a message on Facebook: “I'll burn them.”

The former Territorial Army volunteer trawled the internet for “how to make a bomb” and was mixing grated soap and lighter fuel in a saucepan when police arrived at his home.

Earlier, tormented Smith had dialled 999 after being told by his wife while he was out drinking that eggs had been thrown at their terraced house in Twelfth Street, Horden, on May 8.

He was given a suspended prison term today after being found guilty of making an explosive substance with intent following a trial at Teesside Crown Court in September.

Judge Tony Briggs told him that the sentence was exceptional and took into account his depression which had gone untreated since the death of his young daughter 25 years ago.

He also said the fact that Smith had spent six months behind bars on remand and had been able to start tackling his alcohol problem also saved him from immediate custody.

The judge said: “Those who, with relevant intent, embark upon a process which may lead to such a bomb, they go away. Those who behave in that way go to custody, whatever their mitigation.”

The court heard how Smith and his family had been plagued by problems in the run-up to the bomb-making venture, and he later told police he wanted revenge on those responsible.

Smith was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 18 months of Probation Service supervision. His counselling and alcohol treatment will continue.

His wife, Dorothy, 63, said: “I'm just so relieved he is coming home. The last six months have been a nightmare. He hasn't coped well in prison, and we haven't coped without him.”

* Read the full story in The Northern Echo tomorrow.