ALBAWABA - A UK drug dealer identified as 60-year-old Ian Claughton recently made headlines after he was jailed for rigging his house with 'Home Alone' booby traps to prevent the entrance of possible intruders.
According to The Guardian, aside from rigging his house with booby traps, the 60-year-old was also jailed for seven years over several drugs and firearms offences in November. Claughton stood trial at Doncaster Crown Court, where he was found guilty alongside his ex-wife, Lesley Claughton, who was sentenced to 21 months.
The couple were accused of trading cannabis, growing and supplying the drug across three properties near Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
UK drug dealer jailed for rigging house with 'Home Alone' traps
During the trial, the court was informed that Ian Claughton and his wife "heavily fortified" the properties with stun guns, flamethrowers, fishing wires, electrified gates and crow scarers.
Prosecutor Helen Chapman said, "If you are sitting there thinking that this sounds a little like the film Home Alone, then you would be correct. In fact, that is precisely what Ian Claughton said he was aiming for when he told the police about these devices."
Claughton said his intentions weren't to hurt anyone. However, a message written on paper outside the premises said otherwise:
Warning: do not enter these premises unless invited to do so. The premises and it's surrounding building's, yard are booby-trapped. You have been warned. [redacted name] no longer lives, works here. it’s no joke, everything booby-trapped."
Another message found on Claghton's workshop also read, "Congratulations. well done for getting this far. Now would be a good time to get measured up for your coffin and say goodbye to loved ones. This gate is electrified in excess of 50,000 volts. Enter at own risk, be warned."
(Photo by the Yorkshire and Humber regional organized crime unit)
