A weapons obsessive set off an outdoors firework indoors to impress his girlfriend in the same room he was storing a potentially deadly improvised explosive device.

Alex Kesteris Graham bought two rocket fireworks, packing one with nails and taping it up - later saying he intended to use it to blow himself up. When drunk, he then ignited the other rocket in his room and recorded it on his phone.

While he laughed, his girlfriend was distressed after the loud bang and large amount of smoke which resulted, as well as a small fire. Now Graham, 27, has been jailed at Newcastle Crown Court for arson and possessing an explosive substance

The court heard Graham was living at a shared property on St Aidan's Road, South Shields, and his girlfriend at the time would often be there. Nick Dry, prosecuting, said: "There had been issues at the address over time.

"Although capable of considerate behaviour to staff and other residents when sober he would change when in drink and under the influence of drugs. On those occasions he could be confrontational and abusive to others, including staff.

"Damage had been caused to his accommodation and he would smoke and consume drugs and further would fire a BB gun from his bedroom window at birds."

It was on June 25 this year that Graham, who had bought two "rocking robots rockets", which are category 3 outdoor fireworks, ignited one of them in a wooden box in his room, recording it on his phone. Mr Dry said: "The footage revealed the firework activated because there was a loud explosion and a significant amount of smoke in the room.

The firework turned into an improvised explosive device by Alex Kesteris Graham
The firework turned into an improvised explosive device by Alex Kesteris Graham

"The defendant and his partner took shelter behind a part-closed door. The defendant could be heard laughing but his girlfriend appeared distressed and was coughing, owing to the smoke."

The explosion activated the smoke alarm, which Graham had covered with a sock, and fire crews turned up shortly afterwards, around 2.15pm. They found a significant amount of smoke and a small smouldering fire around some clothes, along with scorch marks around the room.

Mr Dry said: "Another rocket had been packed with nails and taped up with a view to the emission of shrapnel on ignition and explosion of that device. It was examined at an explosives laboratory and found to be a viable IED capable of causing harm and damage."

In his room, there were also ball bearings, a BB gun, a baseball bat and a modified catapult. And the court heard his YouTube account revealed an interest in explosives and weaponry.

Graham told police he had set the firework off to impress his girlfriend and said he was shocked by the noise and smoke. He said he was drunk and suicidal and intended to use the IED to blow himself up and cause maximum damage because of online bullying he was suffering.

Mr Dry said: "The Crown say he had something of an obsession with weapons and explosives. He had created an improvised explosive device and stored it in the very room in which he launched a firework, running the risk it could have ignited, resulting in far greater damage.

"It was by sheer chance the firework didn't cause more damage and the fire didn't take hold. The potential for serious harm by setting off a rocket in a confined space where an IED was being stored, with persons present, we say, speaks for itself."

Graham, who has three previous convictions - for drunk and disorderly, possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage - pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive substance and arson and was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

The court heard he said he was feeling low at the time and watching violent and negative films on YouTube and listening to depressing music.

Robin Patton, defending, said his mum and brother are supportive and he has suffered problems with his mental health and alcohol. He added that he has PTSD after being falsely imprisoned and "tortured" for four hours, including having his eyebrows and eye lashes set on fire.

Of the offences, Mr Patton added: "He didn't intend to harm or injure any other person. He has not harmed any other human being in this activity, the damage was minimal and he has been in custody for four months since." Mr Patton said Graham has "dried out" in prison and wants to work with probation and mental health services to make more of his life.