A Southmead "survivalist" has avoided jail after making explosives and hiding them in Kinder eggs.
Factory worker Daniel Magee stockpiled weapons and supplies at his home to prepare for the apocalypse, a court has heard.
Magee, 39, had spent 20 years collecting items including knives, body armour, camouflage clothing and smoke pellets.
Police were contacted at the end of last year by UK Border Agency after it intercepted two packages for Daniel Magee, 39, which contained suspected prohibited items.
Officers searched his Shetland Road home and discovered 14 homemade explosive devices hidden in the containers of chocolate Kinder eggs, as well as a collection of weapons.
Magee, who had been in prison since his arrest in December, admitted making an explosive substance last month and was sentenced today (March 27) at Bristol Crown Court.
He received a 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months, a rehabilitation requirement and three-month night-time curfew.
People living in eight neighbouring homes were evacuated between December 28 and 30 after the explosives were found.
A cordon was put in place to ensure the public were kept safe while police and the army’s explosive ordnance disposal experts completed their search.
In a police interview, while the searches were ongoing, Magee admitted to creating the homemade devices with the intention of causing an explosion.
Magee's motivation
More than 50 police officers were involved in the investigation and more than 10,000 electronic files searched to establish Magee’s motivation.
Police reached the conclusion he is a "survivalist", meaning he is a member of a movement which actively prepares for emergencies and disruptions to society.
Magee admitted possessing three stun guns and two counts of importing prohibited items - an extendable baton and two flick knives.
Detective Inspector Ben Lavender said: “Daniel Magee’s reckless actions jeopardised not only his own safety but also put innocent people in the surrounding area at risk too. Officers worked as quickly as possible to establish there was not a wider danger to the public.
“However, we appreciate last December it did take some time to eliminate the danger from the property and this process unfortunately caused significant disruption to the residents of Shetland Road.
“No one wants to be evacuated from their homes and I’d like to reiterate my thanks to all those displaced once again for the patience and understanding they showed while we dealt with the incident.
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“Our priority was always to ensure their safety and we couldn’t lift the cordon until we were positive all devices had been removed from the scene."
The court ordered the weapons and devices be destroyed. Magee must pay a £149 victim surcharge and £250 costs.
