November 1996 Pervert sent nail bomb in revenge Crazed paedophile Christopher Reed sent a home-made bomb to a probation officer who tried to keep him away from children. The crude device – packed in a shoebox – contained gunpowder, nails and staples. It could have maimed or killed its victim. Pervert Reed, 32, built the bomb after studying a book on rockets. Staff at the Plymouth probation office where it was sent escaped injury thanks to a sharp-eyed worker who spotted the device and called cops. Exeter Crown Court heard yesterday that Reed sent the bomb after a probation officer told him he was still a danger to kids. Andrew Maitland, prosecuting, said Reed was made subject to a hospital order in 1991 after indecently assaulting two young boys. Mr Maitland added “He was upset at being told he was a risk to the public.” Schizophrenic Reed, from Exeter, admitted possessing explosives. He was given an indefinite hospital order.