A man caught with far-right material and explosives had previously searched for Nicola Sturgeon’s addresses on the internet.
Darren Steele, 29, was snared at his home in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, on 2nd February, 2023.
Steele had amassed a string of Nazi memorabilia including flags, books and weapons emblazoned with Third Reich symbols.
He was also found with chemicals which, if mixed together, could form the dangerous substance potassium chlorate.
Steele’s internet history included far-right searches, instructions on how to make firearms, as well as an inquiry about the former First Minister’s homes.
The discovery resulted in counter-terrorism officers evacuating the local area and putting up a 150-metre cordon.
Steele appeared in the dock today at the High Court in Glasgow where he faced a string of terrorism charges.
A special defence that he did not appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions due to his mental health was accepted by the Crown.
The court heard that Steele was having dinner with his grandmother at their home when he said: “Tonight’s the night.”
He was later found with an axe and told his gran: “I’m just holding it, I wouldn’t hurt you anyway.”
A 999 call was made by Steele’s stepmother, who then told him to leave the property.
Prosecutor Kath Harper said: “He lifted the axe to shoulder height and started shouting abuse which appeared to be towards his stepmother.
“His gran and stepmother tried to take the axe but were unable to do so. There was a struggle and they managed to push him out the door.”
The police were called again as Steele stated: “Someone is going to get hurt tonight,” and, “Tonight is the night.”
Officers attended and found the axe in Steele’s living room and also located a BB gun.
Miss Harper added: “Officers saw extreme right-wing materials including Nazi flags and paraphernalia.
“They noted many weapons including knives and machetes – some of which had Third Reich symbols embossed on them.
“They also noted a Second World War-style gas mask.”
A search of Steele’s iPad recovered information that there could be chemicals capable of creating controlled substances in his property.
A counter-terrorism team found “several items of concern” connected to making explosives, such as chemicals and powders, as well as a US Army munitions handbook.
Miss Harper said: “As a result of these findings, the entire area and nearby houses were evacuated and a 150-metre cordon put in place.”
Steele, when quizzed by officers, stated that the chemical mixtures could not cause harm to anyone.
When asked about bottles of bleach and white substances, he replied: “I was just cleaning the place.”
When officers asked if there were dangerous items in the location, Steele stated that he “enjoyed the outdoors.”
He claimed that he tried to make fertiliser for his garden and to mix potassium chlorate to make a firecracker.
A number of explosives were recovered, including nail gun caps, as well as documents on how to make munitions for 3D-printed weapons.
Empty shotgun cartridges and tubs were found, as well as chemicals that can be used to make explosives from potassium chlorate.
A string of weapons was also found, including a rifle-shaped item, an air rifle, an air rifle stock, a dagger, a machete and a knife.
Steele also owned protective body armour and plates, as well as a holster.
A selection of books found in Steele’s possession included National Socialism, US Guerilla Warfare and the CIA Manual for Psychological Operations.
Miss Harper added: “He also had a number of flags, including one with a swastika and one for the Waffen SS.
“Steele sent images of Nazi flags to his aunt using the social media app Telegram.”
Steele had a total of 164 documents related to creating firearms and ammunition, which included plans for making a pistol and a shotgun.
Steele’s 3D printer had memory cards that contained information for a component of a semi-automatic weapon.
The air rifle found in Steele’s bedroom was not in working order.
He had also been seen searching for content related to hate speech, far-right extremism and conspiracy theories online.
Miss Harper stated: “He made a number of internet searches related to potassium chlorate, making firearms, buying firearms, making artillery and attempts to identify Nicola Sturgeon’s addresses.”
The advocate depute further stated that much of the recovered material was freely available to purchase online or download.
She added: “The volume and nature of the materials show he has more than a general interest in right-wing ideology and weaponry.
“A specific target in his attempts to manufacture explosives has not been identified.”
Thomas Ross KC, defending, told the court: “The professional opinion is that it is in his interest for an interim compulsion order.
“I don’t seek to persuade you to the contrary.”
An interim compulsion order, which keeps Steele at the State Hospital in Carstairs, was granted by Judge Lord Young.
The matter will call again at the High Court in Edinburgh in January.