Doncaster Council bomber locked up indefinitely

James Wilson admitted planting a device made out of canisters and screws on the steps of Concord House in the town last April.

Wilson, 44, of Exchange Street, Balby Bridge, Doncaster, was told he would serve at least three-and-a-half years in jail.

He had earlier admitted to making an explosive substance with intent to endanger property.

Earlier, Doncaster Crown Court heard Wilson was "a man driven to the brink of despair" after social workers forced him out of the family home following unproven criminal allegations.

Prosecuting, Carl Fitch said Wilson was spotted on CCTV by a security guard at Concorde House before twice unsuccessfully attempting to detonate the bomb.

The incident caused major disruption with White Rose Way and Carr House Road being closed as well as a nearby hotel having to be evacuated. Concorde House itself was empty at the time.

Army bomb disposal experts had to be called in to make the device safe.

Wilson's lawyer Kath Goddard said his intention had been to cause damage and disruption but not injury.

He had seen his world fall apart in June 2008 after social services became involved with his family, Miss Goddard said.

She added: "He was given a very clear unequivocal ultimatum to leave his home or his daughter would be taken into care."

Miss Goddard said although both Wilson and his wife realised social services had a duty, the way it dealt with the situation went "far beyond the pale of acceptable behaviour."

The court heard social workers told Wilson's bosses of the criminal allegations. Miss Goddard said: "He was unable to return home or work and in a single moment was stripped of everything he had worked for."

Since his guilty plea social services was still issuing ultimatums to Wilson's wife saying it would consider taking her daughter into care unless she divorced her husband, the court heard.

Separately, Doncaster Council has been at the centre of controversy over children's services after seven vulnerable children died in five years.