Ian Claughton, a 60-year-old drug dealer from Barnsley, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for rigging his properties with various booby traps designed to deter intruders. Claughton, along with his ex-wife Lesley, was found guilty of drug and firearms offenses related to their involvement in the cannabis trade, specifically growing and supplying the drug from multiple locations near Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The trial revealed that the couple had heavily fortified their homes using a variety of dangerous devices similar to those seen in the film 'Home Alone', such as modified crow scarers, fishing wire, stun guns, and a homemade flamethrower.

The court proceedings highlighted the alarming nature of Claughton’s actions, as he used these improvised traps not only to protect their drug operations but also to pose significant risks to the safety of others. The prosecutor characterized the modifications as theatrical yet dangerous, emphasizing the severe implications of having such devices rigged in residential areas. Claughton's ex-wife received a lesser penalty—a suspended 21-month sentence—while he faced a more severe punishment due to the gravity of his offenses.

This case raises concerns about the lengths some individuals will go to protect illegal enterprises and the potential dangers posed to communities when crime intersects with reckless behavior. The use of hazardous traps instead of conventional security methods illustrates a troubling mindset among certain offenders and brings attention to wider issues regarding drug trafficking and safety in neighborhoods affected by such criminal activities.