Father jailed for planting bomb after social workers split family

Former security guard James Wilson planted a Molotov cocktail outside Doncaster Council's children's department after he was forced to live apart from his wife and 14-year-old daughter.

The department has been embroiled in controversy after the deaths of seven children in the town and the torture of two boys at Edlington after which the Government stepped in.

Wilson, 44, was forced to leave his wife and teenage daughter by social workers after he was charged over allegations that he was involved in computer pornography.

The charges were later dropped but by that time Wilson had become unstable, living on his own in a bedsit, Doncaster Crown Court heard.

He made a bomb out of a butane gas canister, screws and petrol, with matches tied together to make a fuse. The bomb was found at 2am on April 22 last year but it failed to detonate even after Wilson threw a second petrol bomb at it.

Bomb disposal experts had to be called in and police evacuated a nearby hotel before closing all main roads in the area. Nobody was hurt.

Wilson, of Hyde Park, Doncaster, admitted making an explosive device with intent to cause serious damage to property.

Kath Goddard, defending, previously told the court Wilson was a man "driven to the brink of despair" after social workers became involved in his family and his "world fell apart".

He was given an ultimatum in June 2008 by social workers to leave his home voluntarily or have his family broken up.

When social workers told his bosses of the allegations he was unable to return home or work and "was stripped of everything he worked for".

Ms Goddard went on: "The general level of Doncaster social services' efficiency has been well-documented in high-profile cases.

"Even now, many months after he pleaded guilty to this offence, social services are still

issuing ultimatums to the family."

Wilson's wife Catherine was at court yesterday and is believed to be standing by her husband who was given an indeterminate jail term with a minimum term of three-and-a-half years before he will be eligible for parole.

Afterwards when asked about the social services involvement with her family she said: "I can't talk about it."

The court heard Wilson first pleaded guilty to making an explosive substance on July 5 last year but because of the indecent images allegations it took until now to sort it out.

Sentencing him, Judge Jacqueline Davies said: "It's not for me to make any comment at all on the action taken by the local authority."

In November last year the Crown Prosecution Service decided to drop the original porn charges but new ones were brought in March this year. Last month those charges were stayed by the court.

The judge told Wilson, who has already been remanded in custody for a year: "I am satisfied that you are a dangerous offender and you will be sentenced for public protection."