This is the first image of Jagger Strang, an 18-year-old from Stafford who has confessed to possessing explosive materials and threatening to bomb his college. Strang was scheduled to stand trial for nine charges at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday, May 6, but altered his pleas on the morning of the proceedings.
Guilty Pleas Entered
Strang admitted to seven charges, including possession of explosive substances such as gunpowder and thermite, and accessing YouTube videos detailing the manufacture of black powder and the construction of a detonator from improvised materials. He also confessed to making threats to kill fellow students at Stafford College and to detonate a bomb there in September 2025.
The court heard that Strang pleaded guilty on the understanding that he had no intention to build a bomb. Prosecutors accepted his pleas and confirmed they would not proceed with a trial for the remaining charges.
Sentencing Scheduled
Mr Justice Wall announced that Strang will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on June 29. The defendant has been remanded in custody pending sentencing.
College Safeguarding Concerns
Staffordshire Police reported that they were alerted by a safeguarding officer at Stafford College in September 2025. There were reports that Strang, then a student, had told other students he possessed numerous weapons and planned to blow up the campus. Strang was arrested at his home the same day.
During a search of the property, officers seized a variety of chemicals, including homemade black powder, gunpowder, and thermite. A blowpipe was also recovered. Police examined Strang’s mobile phone and discovered concerning material, including a manifesto and recent internet searches related to notorious mass killers and instructions on how to make bombs and remote detonators.
Police Response
Detective Inspector Dave Rowlands commented: "This was a deeply concerning case involving threats that understandably caused significant alarm to the students that Strang talked to and staff at the college. Thanks to the vigilance of the college’s students and staff and the swift actions of our officers, we were able to intervene quickly and prevent any potential harm."
