A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to five years jail after explosive devices were posted through the letterbox of Boughton doctors’ surgery near Stoke Ferry.

Ozzie Welsh, of Short Lane in Feltwell, near Downham Market, was sentenced today (Monday, March 13) at the Old Bailey after previously pleading guilty to possessing explosives.

It follows an incident at the Chapel Road doctors’ surgery on 28 January last year when three suspicious devices were discovered inside the building.

Police were called after staff reported finding minor damage in the foyer area along with canisters and ball-bearings. A 100-metre cordon was initially put in place and specialists from the bomb disposal unit also subsequently attended.

On January 23, 2017, the first day of Welsh’s trial, he admitted possession of explosives in suspicious circumstances, contrary to section 4(1) of the Explosives Substances Act 1883. Welsh denied causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property, contrary to section 2 of the Act, which the court ordered to lie on file.

The court heard that Welsh was a regular patient at the surgery and had been involved in several confrontations with doctors and staff there and had been given words of advice regarding his behaviour. Prior to the incident, Welsh had become angry following a disagreement about his prescription.

Enquiries made on the day of the incident led officers to search his home address where they seized a laptop and diary both of which contained details and research about bomb making. Evidence that Welsh had purchased various substances and component parts to make explosives was also found.

In his first police interview Welsh denied the offence. However he later asked to see police again and during his second interview he provided a written statement in which he admitted posting the devices through the surgery door stating he had done this because of the disagreement about his medication which made him angry.

Detective Chief Inspector Marie James, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: “The devices recovered from the surgery were later tested by specialists and found to be viable improvised explosives.

“In police interview Welsh admitted to having a fascination with explosives and the power this afforded him but didn’t want to harm anyone. While fortunately no one was injured during this incident, an explosives expert who examined the materials was of the opinion these could have caused serious injury.”