A MAN who risked his neighbours’ lives when he turned his home into a makeshift laboratory to make fireworks has been spared jail.

Daren Lloyd, 48, was arrested after police raided his home in Maurice Road, Canvey, on November 3 last year and found an array of chemicals, gunpowder and chemistry sets.

The police swooped after they had been tipped off that he had bought a selection of explosives online.

The bomb squad was even called in to help make the home safe and dismantle the explosives.

Surrounding the bed in the bedroom were countless pots and bottles of chemicals, as well as a white lab coat, scales, pipes and a Bunsen burner.

Lloyd, who is obsessed with chemistry, appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday after he previously admitted having gunpowder in his home - as well as chemicals, apparatus and equipment. He further admitted making five explosive devices.

Peter Clark, prosecuting, told the court: “Lloyd is a man who had a troubling obsession with chemicals and their potential rather than someone whose heavy involvement with explosives was driven by hostile intent. Nonetheless there was inherent danger posed by his activity.

“The unlawful materials could fall into the hands of others who did have hostile intentions. There was a vast array of equipment.

“There was a sufficient amount of explosives to cause serious injury or death to people in the immediate vicinity if there was an accidental explosion.”

Cyrus Shroff, mitigating, said: “He is a man who had a wholly misguided interest and he made no attempt to hide any of the items. He is someone who is deeply regretful and will not be offending again.”

Judge David Pugh sentenced him to an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.