Welsh Man ‘Experimented’ With Pipebombs and Hid Devices in Woods

A 21‑year‑old man from Bangor downloaded terrorist manuals, boasted about making a pipebomb and buried homemade devices in woodland, a court has heard.

Ashton Rees was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of four counts of possessing information useful to terrorism after police discovered documents on his phone, including the Anarchist’s Cookbook and guides on constructing improvised firearms and explosives.

Prosecutor Rupert Jones said Rees had shared some of the material with others, including posting one document on Reddit. Messages recovered from his phone showed him “boasting” about making a pipebomb, though the prosecution said parts of his account were “perhaps rather far‑fetched”.

Two basic devices were recovered from his home, but the court heard others have never been found.

Far‑right imagery and weapons found

Police also uncovered photos of Rees wearing a skull mask linked to far‑right symbolism, as well as paramilitary‑style clothing. Another image showed him wearing a T‑shirt with the slogan “Natural Selection”, similar to one worn by a Columbine school shooter.

When officers searched his university accommodation in February 2024, they found knives, skull masks and a calendar with the word “kill” written on one date — something his defence later described as a “bad joke”.

Judge questions whether devices were functional

Judge Brian Cummings KC asked whether Rees had succeeded in making anything that legally qualified as a firearm. Prosecutor Jones replied:  

“We simply don’t know because some of the weapons have never been recovered.”

The court also heard Rees had a friendship with Aristedes Haynes, a former RAF cadet from South Wales convicted in 2023 for vandalising a Windrush mural with Nazi symbols.

Defence: “Obsessive interest” in making things

Defence barrister David Birrell said Rees, who has autism, had “possibly an obsessive interest” in constructing devices and carried out experiments alone in remote woodland where he posed no risk to others.

He insisted there was no evidence Rees held extremist views.

Rees, supported in court by his wife and parents, was described as a “young man of positive good character”.

Sentencing was adjourned until Wednesday.