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Chemical traces in bomb plot home | Chemical traces in bomb plot home |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A former British National Party (BNP) candidate accused of plotting to make bombs had instruments covered in traces of chemical substances, a court heard. | A former British National Party (BNP) candidate accused of plotting to make bombs had instruments covered in traces of chemical substances, a court heard. |
Small amounts of nitrates, chlorine and ammonia were found on items at the Lancashire home of Robert Cottage, Manchester Crown Court heard. | Small amounts of nitrates, chlorine and ammonia were found on items at the Lancashire home of Robert Cottage, Manchester Crown Court heard. |
The court has already heard how he was stockpiling explosive materials in anticipation of a UK civil war. | The court has already heard how he was stockpiling explosive materials in anticipation of a UK civil war. |
Mr Cottage, 49, and David Jackson, 62, deny conspiracy to cause an explosion. | Mr Cottage, 49, and David Jackson, 62, deny conspiracy to cause an explosion. |
Officers made the discovery when they searched Mr Cottage's home on Talbot Street, Colne, on 28 September 2006. | Officers made the discovery when they searched Mr Cottage's home on Talbot Street, Colne, on 28 September 2006. |
Potential explosives | |
A red tub, green woollen gloves, a cardboard box, kitchen tongs with sponge taped to each end and a pipette all bearing chemical residues were recovered, the court heard. | A red tub, green woollen gloves, a cardboard box, kitchen tongs with sponge taped to each end and a pipette all bearing chemical residues were recovered, the court heard. |
A litre of hydrogen peroxide was also found at the house. | A litre of hydrogen peroxide was also found at the house. |
Explosives expert Sarah Wilson told the court she had examined the traces found on the tools. | Explosives expert Sarah Wilson told the court she had examined the traces found on the tools. |
Ms Wilson earlier explained how the ingredients found at Mr Cottage's home could have been used to make homemade explosives. | |
The court heard a document found in his home - the Anarchy Cookbook - detailed how to make a variety of anti-personnel bombs. | |
It also explained how to make "touch explosives", an unstable substance which would detonate when struck. | |
Household uses | |
Under cross-examination by Alistair Webster QC, it emerged touch explosives could not injure and were mainly suitable for "schoolboy pranks". | |
Touch explosive was the only substance for which all the ingredients were present at the house. | |
Ms Wilson conceded that seven of the chemicals found were either pointless or unnecessary for explosives, and one was a dietary supplement. | |
Mr Webster said only the container of hydrogen peroxide had been opened, and this had several other household uses, including the sterilisation of false teeth. | |
Mr Cottage, a bus driver who failed to be elected as a BNP candidate in local elections, has admitted a charge of possession of explosives. | Mr Cottage, a bus driver who failed to be elected as a BNP candidate in local elections, has admitted a charge of possession of explosives. |
His co-defendant, dentist Mr Jackson, denies both charges. | His co-defendant, dentist Mr Jackson, denies both charges. |
The trial was adjourned until Thursday. |
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