A GRIMETHORPE man who rigged his house with trip wires and explosives to protect his drug enterprise will face a ‘long sentence of imprisonment’, according to a judge.

Ian Claughton and his ex-wife Lesley were found guilty of several drugs and firearms offences following a trial at Doncaster Crown Court.

Ian, 60, had already pleaded guilty to bringing a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain, being concerned in production of a controlled drug - namely cannabis - and possession with intent to supply.

Police raided three of their properties on Brierley Road on May 8, 2024 after Border Force officers discovered imitation firearms in a parcel addressed to Lesley.

Officers found large quantities of drugs, an array of weapons - including a home-made flamethrower, adapted crow-scarers and two high-powered guns - and evacuated more than 100 nearby homes.

A crossbow, crossbow bolts, a knife and ‘an enormous amount of cash, including £27,000 stitched into a sofa, were also recovered.

The mother-of-three was granted bail, but was told by Judge Graham Reeds to ‘prepare for prison’.

Addressing Ian - who was remanded in custody - he warned he faced a ‘long sentence of imprisonment’.

The pair, who had been married for 17 years, will be sentenced on February 10.