A couple drove a soldier to Glasgow unaware they had a bomb in the boot, a court was told.
Unknown to them there was a quantity of plastic explosives and detonators stolen from his base.
The car belonged to Sergeant B, one of four men charged with stealing and conspiring to steal ammunition and explosives from Howe Barracks, Canterbury.
B admits stealing a flare and two hand grenades and told the court he transported explosives in the boot of his car for £500.
Colour Sergeant X and Lance Corporal Y both of 5 Scots based at Canterbury deny theft.
Drug dealer Andrew Quinn, 26, of Whitehill Place, Denistoun, Glasgow, admits conspiring to steal and receiving stolen ammunition and explosives.
B told Maidstone Crown Court he was due to return a car he borrowed from Quinn and two of his relatives were visiting.
They drove the Subaru Impreza to Carlisle and B drove the rest of the way to Glasgow.
He said Y asked him if he wanted to earn £500 by taking plastic explosive to Quinn's flat.
Y had a key to Colour Sergeant X's locker in the elite Recce Platoon's office.
They opened the locker and B saw there was plastic explosives and detonators inside.
He took the explosives from the top shelf and put it in a hessian sack and then took out detonators and put them in the sack.
B concealed the explosive in a rucksack and drove up to Glasgow the following days.
As far as he was concerned X was the only man he knew who might have access to PE 4 plastic explosives.
He said Quinn was annoyed when he found B had become involved in the plot.
When he got to his relative’s house he phoned Quinn and went to Whitehill Place where he handed over the explosives.
Quinn gave him a bundle of notes £500 for himself and £2,500 for Colour Sergeant X.
When he returned to Canterbury he went to the Sergeant's Mess and gave X the money.
B said he was going to let the 15-inch flare off
at Christmas but didn't because it rained.
When asked about two smoke grenades and a disruption grenade he said he was going to play a trick on Quinn.
He said: "I was going to throw one of the smoke
grenades into his flat. It wouldn't cause much damage or choke anyone. The smoke would clear if you opened a window."
B told the court Y was 'always skint'.
He said: "It was like money was burning a hole in his pocket."
When Quinn's flat was raided Y was worried because his Army identity card was inside.
B said he should have handed in the explosives and told officers about the theft but he didn't.
The case continues
POSTED: 13/10/2008 16:45:00
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