SHARNBROOK, BEDFORDSHIRE – A man in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, caused an explosion in his home due to negligence with explosive substances. Matthew Haydon, 48, sustained injuries to his hands and chest during the incident on April 10th of last year. He now faces trial at the Old Bailey on charges of causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property.
During his defense, Haydon admitted to becoming complacent with the explosive substances, leading to the accident. He explained to the court that he underestimated the risks involved, stating, “If you don’t give that substance the respect it is due it will turn around and bite you. And that’s what happened – I got complacent.”
Haydon shared that he was encouraged by a Job Centre to start his own business and had been considering starting a pest control company. He also expressed his interest in explosives but struggled to find a legitimate way to pursue that passion while making a living.
In his experiments, Haydon used a glass microwave plate to examine a high explosive, pouring a significant amount of the substance onto the dish. Unfortunately, he inadvertently left traces of another explosive on the plate, leading to the explosion that resulted in severe injuries.
The court heard testimonies from neighbors who heard a loud explosion and felt their homes shake during the incident. They observed the shattered window of Haydon’s residence, indicating the magnitude of the blast. Haydon emphasized the importance of honesty in recounting the events and acknowledged his failure to wear protective gear during the experimentation.
It was also revealed in court that Haydon suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which contributes to his intense interests and focus on certain subjects. Despite admitting to mixing the chemicals that caused the explosion, Haydon disputes the claim that the level of danger posed was enough to threaten life or property.