Jury retires in bomb plot trial

A jury in the trial of two men accused of plotting to cause explosions has retired to consider its verdict.

Robert Cottage, 49, and 62-year-old David Jackson, both from Lancashire, deny conspiracy to cause an explosion. Mr Cottage, an ex-British National Party (BNP) candidate, has admitted possessing explosive substances. Mr Jackson, a dentist, denies the charge.

The hearing at Manchester Crown Court was adjourned on Wednesday and the jury sent home for the night.

'Civil war'

The court has heard how police found chemicals including ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid when they searched Mr Cottage's home at Talbot Street, Colne, last September. Officers later recovered two nuclear protection suits and a bow and arrows from Mr Jackson's home in Trent Road, Nelson, the court heard.

During his evidence, Mr Cottage told the hearing he stockpiled chemicals, airguns and crossbows to protect his family for an "inevitable" civil war. Mr Jackson told the court he agreed to purchase a number of chemicals via an internet site but said these were for "personal experiments".

The jury is expected to continue its deliberations on Thursday.

BBC