28/09/2007

Letter Bomber Jailed For 10 Years

A primary school caretaker found guilty of conducting a nationwide letter bomb campaign, which left eight people injured, has been given an indeterminate sentence.

Miles Cooper, 27, from Cambridge, had sent seven letter bombs to three forensic science laboratories, a computer company, an accountancy firm, the DVLA and a residential address, in various parts of England and Wales, during January and February this year.

Five of the devices exploded, injuring eight people.

Cooper had denied 12 charges - eight counts of causing bodily injury by means of making an explosive substance, two counts of using an explosive substance with intent to disable, one count of making explosives and one alternate count of possessing an explosive substance.

However, he did not deny sending the letters. He claimed that he sent the letters in protest about the amount of control the government had and had not intended to cause any injuries.

He was convicted of all charges

At sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, he was told that he would have to serve a minimum term of five years.

Judge Julian Hall told Cooper: "You are a terrorist, let there be no mistake. Anyone who tries through violence or threat of violence to change the political will is a terrorist, and that it precisely what you did."

He said that he would have given him a determinate sentence of 10 years, but ruled that he was a danger to the public and gave him an indeterminate sentence.

(KMcA)

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