Dad speaks of agony over jailed bomber son

Jun 12 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A FARMER whose son was jailed this week for manufacturing explosives in his bedroom has told of his heartache after his “angelic” son went off the rails.

Larry Dodds told last night how his family had no idea what was happening under their own roof and said his son’s activities have torn them apart.

He is now selling up the family business of 15 years and blames the isolated life of the countryside for his son’s activities.

“I don’t feel anger towards him just massive disappointment and sadness that he would be involved in something like this. He is an idiot. His mother has been hurt by this and has been in tears all the time. I haven’t been able to talk to her about it since it happened.

“I will be 63 when he gets out. Our plans for a nice easy retirement have gone up in smoke,” he said.

On Monday Owen Dodds, of Ravenscleugh Farm, Elsdon, near Otterburn in Northumberland was jailed for seven years.

He pleaded guilty to charges of manufacturing explosives and a firearm and being in possession of ammunition while prohibited.

Police launched a massive investigation involving 170 officers amid fears of links to far right and terrorist groups.

The family were not allowed to return to their home for 16 days as the investigation, which involved army explosives experts, progressed.

Dodds jnr had previous convictions for firearms offences, burglary and wounding with intent.

Last night his father told how the pleasant youngster who loved animals had changed overnight.

Mr Dodds, 60, said: “We never had any problems with him until he became a teenager and then he got in with the wrong crowd.

“He was angelic but then he started to get into trouble and things just escalated from there.”

Before moving to the farm in Elsdon the family, Mr Dodds, his wife Brenda, 56, a district nurse in Ponteland, daughter Helen, 33 and Owen, 29, ran a farm in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland.

Owen attended Astley Community High School but left without qualifications after he was excluded for fighting. The only job he has ever had is helping out on the family farm.

Mr Dodds, a former RAF pilot, said: “After he was excluded from school he never went back. He is a big lad and that doesn’t help him. He just kept getting into trouble and there was nothing we could do about it.

“He served some time in prison for assaulting someone and then came back to live with us. We thought he had turned the corner. He was helping out around the farm, working really hard.

“None of us had any idea about what he was getting up to in his bedroom.

“My wife has been hit hard by what has happened, we are all so disappointed.”

Mr Dodds said he blamed the boredom of farm life for his son’s activities.

He said: “He liked to work and when he was on the farm he was no trouble. But there are times when there is nothing to do and that is the problem.

“Out here we are miles away from his friends and there is very little to do.

“He used to watch programmes on TV about making bombs and rockets and that is where he must have got the idea from.

“And it seems it is very easy to get on the internet and get information and how to make explosives.

“All the chemicals he seems to have used can be found under the kitchen sink.

“We were looking forward to a quiet retirement and then something like this happens. None of us had any idea what was going on.”