Boy in court charged with trying to obtain deadly toxin Abrin

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/19/boy-in-court-charged-with-trying-to-obtain-deadly-toxin-abrin

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A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court accused of trying to get his hands on a deadly poison.

The boy’s father wiped away tears and his mother held a handkerchief to her mouth throughout the brief hearing at Tameside magistrates court in Greater Manchester.

The defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, is charged under the Biological Weapons Act 1974 and Criminal Attempts Act 1981 of trying to obtain 10 milligrams of Abrin, a toxin, in a quantity not for any lawful or peaceful purposes.

The court heard that 0.05mg of Abrin was enough to kill a human.

The boy was flanked by three security guards in the dock and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the 10-minute hearing.

He was remanded into custody until Monday when he will appear at Manchester magistrates court for a further hearing.

The court heard that the authority of the attorney general must be given before an offence of this nature could be proceeded with.

Reporting restrictions were not lifted and the court was cleared of members of the public and lawyers not involved in the case before the hearing began.