A former Norwich school pupil, who was said to be suffering from the effects of stress after serving in war-torn Kosovo, was found with a 'crude armoury' of weapons, including ingredients to make improvised petrol bombs, at his Norfolk home.

A former Norwich school pupil, who was said to be suffering from the effects of stress after serving in war-torn Kosovo, was found with a 'crude armoury' of weapons, including ingredients to make improvised petrol bombs, at his Norfolk home.

When police searched the Dereham High Street flat of Adam Dunne, 40, they found several empty bottles and items to make five bombs known as Molotov cocktails, Norwich Crown Court heard on Friday.

The court was told that he gave no motive for his actions, but had expressed strong views to police about plans by a Muslim group to protest during the repatriation of soldiers' bodies at Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, which he said was disrespectful.

He was also said to have started drinking heavily after seeing first-hand the horrors of serving in Kosovo.

Jailing him for three years, Judge Peter Jacobs told him that he had never offered any explanation as to what was going on and said: 'The petrol bombs had not actually been made, but they were capable of being made. A Molotov cocktail can be a very effective weapon indeed.'

He said it was not clear what his motive was for having the 'crude armoury' at his home and a report had shown that there were no mental health issues, although he accepted that as a former soldier Dunne had served in Kosovo and had been under real stress.

'It has to be recognised the tremendous stress that serving in conflict areas puts upon soldiers,' he added.

Ian James, prosecuting, said the weapons were found after his flat was searched by police following an attack he made with a claw hammer on his neighbour Scott Blake, who was able to fend him off.

As well as the bomb-making equipment, police also recovered the claw hammer he had used to attack his neighbour and a sock with a padlock hidden inside. They also found an A-level chemistry certificate and qualifications in tank operation.

Neil Guest, for Dunne, said although there were no mental health issues, his client had started drinking heavily after serving in Kosovo.

'Drink has been a problem with this man. He started drinking when he was 15 and the real turning point was when this man served time in Kosovo.

'He saw things that perhaps no man should see.'

Dunne, who served eight years in the army, was convicted of possession of an explosive substance for unlawful purpose and admitted causing actual bodily harm to Mr Blake, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Dunne, a former pupil of Notre Dame School, in Norwich, tried to claim he kept the empty bottles to hang them from the walls of his flat to remind him he was drinking too much.

The court heard that Dunne had previously been jailed for 46 months for taking a SA80 rifle from an army barracks in Wiltshire in 2003, He was expelled from the army following his conviction and had told the court he planned to kill himself with the rifle.

Mr Guest said there was no evidence that he intended to use the bomb-making equipment.

'There was no plan as to whether they were to be used at all.'

He said that Dunne had the support of his father, who was concerned about his son.

Det Chief Insp Neil Firm, of Norfolk Police, said the case should be seen as a warning to others.

He said: 'We hope the sentence passed by the judge will send out a clear message to all that activities of this nature will not be tolerated. Norfolk Constabulary will continue to strive to protect the public at all times and anyone found with such items will be dealt with robustly and brought before the courts.'