Navy rocket man escapes conviction

A navy employee who kept an explosive in his Sydney apartment to launch hobby rockets has escaped conviction.

Gareth Etherden, 26, pleaded guilty to two charges last week after batons, handcuffs and an explosive made from potassium nitrate were found in his North Strathfield home last year.

A Downing Centre Local Court magistrate on Wednesday found the electrical technician, who has been suspended without pay, had made an "innocent miscalculation" and ordered a conviction not be recorded.

He said he hoped Etherden, who had written a letter to the court, was not fired from the navy but warned him that he needed to be more careful about the items he collected.

The court heard he had been given the batons as a present from a friend and bought the handcuffs on line.

His father gave evidence that he'd been interested in rockets, which he launched about 120-150m, since he watched an episode of hit US TV show Mythbusters about a decade ago.

The court heard other weapons, including tomahawks and long bows were also seized but did not result in charges.

Mr Etherden, who pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, was ordered to enter a good behaviour bond.