'Chemicals ordered on the internet'

A delivery of chemicals at a former BNP candidate's home could have been used to create deadly explosive devices, a court has heard. But forensic experts found no evidence that 49-year-old Robert Cottage had been making bombs at his Talbot street home, in Colne, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Cottage pleaded guilty to the possession of explosives on Tuesday, but denies conspiracy to cause an explosion. Co-defendant David Jackson, 62, of Trent Road, Nelson, also denies conspiring to cause an explosion.

Cottage, who joined the BNP four years ago, claimed he was stock-piling chemicals because he believed a civil war was imminent. He wanted to create thunder flashes to scare away any potential attackers, his defence team has said. Cottage had also collected extensive food supplies and weapons in preparation for the outbreak of fighting.

The court heard that Cottage, who worked as a bus driver for Lancashire County Council, had three boxes of chemicals delivered to his home in September last year. They contained ingredients such as potassium nitrate used in the production of gun powder and hydrogen peroxide used to make the high-powered explosives TATP. However, none of the chemicals had been opened, or used.

Cottage had ordered the chemicals over the internet after his friend and co-defendant Jackson drew up a list of items to buy, the court was told. Jackson later told police they were to be used to teach Cottage's 16-year-old son about chemistry.

When police searched Cottage's home they found a copy of the Anarchist Cookbook on his computer. The document, written during the Vietnam War, detailed how to make a number of explosive materials and devices including napalm, thermite bombs and letter bombs.

Forensic expert Sarah Wilson told the court that while many of the chemicals found at Cottage's home could be used for innocent purposes, they could also be used to create explosions. She said the effects of such an explosion could depend on a number of factors.

She said: "It would depend on how well it was made, whether the device was viable, and its location. If it was in a crowded area, such as a street, it has more potential to damage property and people."

The defence counsel argued that Cottage only possessed threat chemicals for making relatively harmless touch explosives often demonstrated in school classrooms. Defending Jackson, Andrew Nuttall described the potential explosions as "schoolboy pranks".

Miss Wilson agreed some of the chemicals owned by Cottage were "pointless" for making a bomb, although she said others "you would probably steer away from".

The trial continues...

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