A man has admitted building a home-made pipe bomb which led police to evacuate houses in North Devon when it was discovered.
Timothy Holman, who has a history of mental illness, pleaded guilty to making an explosive substance at his home in Ilfracombe on December 9 last year.
Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, adjourned his case until June 27 for a psychiatric report after hearing he had been moved from Exeter Prison to Langdon Hospital for mental treatment.
His case is likely to result in an order under which he will be detained in hospital rather than sent to jail when the case returns to Exeter Crown Court.
This procedure, known as a hospital order, can only happen if there are two psychiatric reports which both conclude he is suffering from a treatable condition.
Holman, aged 42, of Osborne Road, Ilfracombe, pleaded guilty to making an explosive substance and was remanded to the custody of the hospital.
He created a pipe bomb which was found by police when they were called to Holman’s house by his family. It led to neighbouring homes in Osborne Road being evacuated as the area was made safe.