A man who threatened to blow up social workers and members of his own family with a nail bomb was jailed for 27 months.
Mark Crockett’s attempt at making the explosive device was described as amateurish and inept by judge Lord Armstrong at the High Court in Livingston.
He said experts had concluded Crockett’s “bomb” was poorly mixed and unlikely to function fully.
However, it had sparked a public safety alert with emergency services and bomb disposal experts called in to evacuate Logierait Pine Lodges, near Pitlochry, where Crockett was found under the influence of drugs.
Defending, Ronnie Renucci QC said Crockett had “just cracked” as a result of stress and family pressures.
Lord Armstrong, however, said he was concerned about the terrorism element in the charge.
He told Crockett: “Although the device manufactured by you might be described as amateur or inept, it was nevertheless an explosive device intended to take life or render serious injury and may have been viable for innocent members of the public.
“It’s plain that at the relevant time you were in emotional turmoil, and since you’ve been assessed it’s clear you have been suffering from some mental incapacity.
“Having regard to the gravity of the matter, I’m satisfied, notwithstanding the persuasive submissions made by Mr Renucci on your behalf, that in the whole circumstances of the case there is no appropriate alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Crockett, of Marshall Drive, Falkirk, admitted making the explosive device “with intent by means thereof to endanger life or cause serious injury to property or enable any other person to do so” on February 4 last year.
He also admitted drugs offences, after more than 400 morphine tablets were recovered during searches of the lodge and his Falkirk home, along with cannabis and Tramadol.
Concerned staff at the holiday park, where Crockett had gone for a two-day respite break from looking after three youngsters in his care, called out paramedics after he failed to check out of his chalet.
Managers found him with a head injury and under the influence of alcohol and drugs.