Teenager Michael Piggin, who kept a stash of weapons in his home but denied he was planning a repeat of the Columbine school massacre, has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Piggin, 18, admitted possessing petrol bombs and component parts for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Police discovered a hoard of petrol bombs and air rifles when they were called to investigate a public order offence from six days earlier at his home in Beaumont Road, Loughborough, in February last year.

Piggin, who has Asperger’s syndrome, denied he was going to attack his old school in a re-run of the Columbine massacre.

In sentencing at the Old Bailey, recorder of London Brian Barker QC told Piggin that he should be held “under the Mental Health Act, which will provide you with appropriate treatment for as long as is deemed necessary.”

The judge said: “Cases of this type are fortunately rare but of great concern to the public and normally would attract long sentences. Given your personal condition, this is not a case of a determinate sentence. It is clear from reports that you need treatment.”

The judge said the potential danger to the public was “uppermost” in his mind.

After two trials jurors could not agree and were discharged from returning verdicts on two charges under the Terrorism Act to which Piggin had pleaded not guilty. Following the retrial, Piggin was told the Crown would not be seeking a further prosecution.

Loughborough Echo, 4 July 2014