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The police cordon around Mr Peppiatt’s home in Besant Court |
Ex-airforce pensioner on explosives charge
Pensioner held for his own safety after sparking major bomb scare
A WHEELCHAIR-bound 75-year-old former RAF man has appeared in court charged with possession of an explosive substance, following a massive alert in Newington Green on Monday.
Police swooped on the Besant Court home of pensioner William Peppiatt in the early hours after police discovered four improvised explosive devices. Buildings were evacuated, roads closed and a bus was commandeered to shelter residents, who were evacuated from Besant Court just before 4am, as bomb squad experts moved in. The drama unfolded after Mr Peppiatt called London Ambulance Service complaining of feeling unwell. Unable to gain entry, paramedics called for police who smashed the window so Mr Peppiatt could hand over his house keys.
According to defence solicitor Frank Brazell, officers found Mr Peppiatt “malnourished and emaciated”, as if he hadn’t eaten for days. The pensioner hadn’t eaten for days. The pensioner was arrested, taken to hospital, then questioned by counter-terrorist officers.
He appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with possession of an explosive substance, contrary to Section 4.1 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.
Mr Peppiatt, who had been held in custody “for his own safety”, was brought out in a wheelchair, wearing a white jumpsuit, black pumps, no socks, and looking frail.
Prosecutor Emily Maunders told the court: “This is a serious charge. It’s indictable only. Mr Peppiatt is not a particularly well man. The defendant phoned paramedics to attend his home address and stated he’d not been eating and was extremely unwell.”
Mr Brazell asked the court to release Mr Peppiatt on bail.
He said: “It’s clear the decision to remand him in custody was for his own welfare. He was found in a very weak state... he’s extremely frail, emaciated, having not eaten for a substantial amount of time. This is not a man who, in the right environment, in the right care, would present a danger to anyone except himself.”
He said Mr Peppiatt had lived at Besant Court for 55 years.
Magistrates agreed to release Mr Peppiatt on bail on condition he does not return to his home address. An ambulance was called and he was taken to the Whittington Hospital.
Islington Council deputy leader councillor Terry Stacy said: “This incident must have been very scary for residents but everyone has pulled together to prevent making a drama out of a crisis. I am pleased to say all residents could return to their homes on Tuesday morning, little more than 24 hours after the incident was notified to us.”
A Town Hall spokesman said: “Both Homes for Islington and Islington Council worked together to help residents affected by the police operation and evacuation. We opened a rest centre with hot food, arranged and paid for alternative overnight accommodation and updated residents throughout the incident.”
Mr Peppiatt was bailed to return to Blackfriars Crown Court on April 27. |
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