News

A primary school caretaker has denied 11 charges relating to sending explosive devices through the post including one to an address in Folkestone.

Miles Cooper, 27, from Cambridge, is accused of sending letter bombs to addresses across Britain in January and February, injuring eight people.

He was remanded in custody at Oxford Crown Court and told he is likely to stand trial in September.

It is alleged letter bombs were sent to addresses in Kent, Oxfordshire, London, Swansea, Birmingham and Berkshire.

Mr Cooper pleaded not guilty to eight counts of causing harm to people with explosives, two of intending to cause harm and one of making an explosive substance.

The offences come under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

The charges are:

Using an explosive substance in January to "maim or disable" Michelle Evans at an animal science laboratory in Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Sending an explosive substance with intent to harm in Abingdon, and another to a laboratory in Birmingham

Causing bodily harm in February to Michael and Rosemary Wingfield at an address in Folkestone, Kent

Causing bodily harm to Maja Kurowald on 5 February at Capita offices, which runs London's congestion charging scheme

Causing bodily harm to Richard Gorringe at an accountancy firm in Wokingham, Berkshire

Causing bodily harm to Karen Andrews on 7 February at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea

Causing harm to Jean Porter and Christopher Phillips on the same day

Making or possessing an explosive substance on 1 February