British police destroyed the ammunition that 87-year-old resident of Norwich had kept in her garden for 66 years. According to the woman, guests always showed interest in the find and even played with it during celebrations.
Valerie Smith's son brought home a heavy shell about 50 centimeters long many years ago. Her husband, who had previously served in the army, assured her that there was no danger, reports NOS citing the BBC.
"It's just an empty shell," he said.
After that, the ammunition was placed vertically next to the shed.
"People always liked it very much. Everyone asked, ‘Where did you get this?’ I never worried about it all these years — and I still don’t worry now," Smith said.
Discovery while weeding
The situation was viewed differently by 24-year-old student Ewan Barnard, who helped clear weeds in the pensioner's garden last week. Upon discovering the suspicious object, he immediately called the police, for which he even received a reprimand from the homeowner.
Arriving police established that the object indeed posed a danger. It turned out to be a training shell intended for launching signal rockets to a great height.
Explosive ordnance disposal specialists took the find to a safe location and conducted a controlled detonation.
Photo: Norfolk police.
Refused to evacuate
To carry out the operation, the street where the pensioner lives had to be closed, and residents of houses within a 100-meter radius were temporarily evacuated.
However, Valerie Smith refused to leave her home.
"I said, ‘No way. I’ve lived next to it for over 60 years and I think I can live next to it for a few more years,’" she joked.
But the student who discovered the ammunition was much more impressed.
"I hope I never come across anything like this again," Barnard admitted.
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