Explosives trial: 'blood in the streets' belief

A former Pendle British National Party candidate was "apocalyptic" and a "radical" who suggested locations where he could plant a ball-bearing shrapnel bomb, a court heard. Robert Cottage (49) believed if there was not "blood in the streets" the country was "lost'", his friend and co-accused, David Jackson, told police.

The jury at Manchester Crown Court was told Cottage had spoken of bombing techniques and suggested bomb targets. The court heard bus driver Cottage, of Talbot Street, Colne, had been stockpiling food, along with chemicals which could be made into explosives, as he feared the country was on the brink of civil war.

When police raided his home they found 21 different chemicals including nitrates, chlorine, ammonia and acids. Officers also discovered crossbows, air pistols, ammunition and ball bearings.

At the end of the first week of the trial, the jury heard police interviews of dentist Jackson, who is also accused of bomb plot charges. Jackson (62), of Trent Road, Nelson, told officers he felt the British had given away their country without a fight. The court was read a transcript of his interview with detectives when he was quizzed about whether he had mentioned a specific plan and was asked where Cottage was planning to plant the devices.

Cottage, who failed to be elected as a BNP candidate in local elections, has admitted possession of explosives but denies conspiracy to cause explosions. Jackson has denied possession of explosives and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Police raided Cottage's home on September 28th last year after is wife Kerena (29), who suffers from mental health problems, told social workers she was concerned about his behaviour.

Asked how he felt about immigration, Jackson said: "The sadness comes in passing through the middle of your native town and walking a 150 yards sometimes without hearing a word of English. And it makes you think, well we've just given the land away, to another culture, another religion and that's the wickedest thing a nation can do to itself. It's much worse than being colonised in some war; I mean, it's all happening without a fight and with encouragement from the powers that be."

Burnley Today