Ref:31/07 February 22, 2007
OPERATION HANSEL- CPS AUTHORISES POLICE TO CHARGE MILES COOPER WITH TWELVE OFFENCES

Police Statement - ACC Anton Setchell – ACPO National Coordinator for Domestic Extremism (NCDE)

Anton Setchell said:

“Operation Hansel is progressing well and the investigation into the series of postal improvised explosive devices will continue for many weeks. Forensic searches at a house in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge are likely to last for several more days.

“The staff and pupils at Teversham Primary School, Cambridge have been very supportive and understanding whilst we have carried out searches and enquiries there and I am very grateful to them all.

“The response from the public to my requests for caution when handling post has been excellent. As a result of the investigation so far, I am now satisfied that there are no other postal packages connected to this enquiry that will present a danger to the public.

“We have now reached a point in this enquiry at which we have been able to charge a man with several offences in connection with a series of improvised explosive devices that were sent through the post to companies and organisations; the details of those charges will be provided by the Crown Prosecution Service.”

Police statement ends
continued …

CPS Statement - Paul Harrison, Senior Prosecutor for Thames Valley Crown Prosecution Service, today announced details of charges against Miles Cooper in relation to postal improvised explosive device attacks at various locations around the country.

Paul Harrison said:

“We have been working with the police since last Sunday 18th February 2007 advising on a number of preliminary legal issues both before and after arrest.

“As this case has developed we have been carefully examining and assessing the evidence in order to come to a charging decision at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Earlier today I made the decision that there was sufficient evidence and authorised that Miles Cooper should be charged with twelve offences contrary to the Explosive Substances Act and the Offences Against the Person Act. We will continue to keep this case under constant review as it develops.

“At this time I would like to remind you of the need to take care in reporting the events surrounding this case. Miles Cooper stands accused of these offences and has the right to a fair trial before a jury.

“It is extremely important that there should be responsible media reporting which should not prejudice the due process of law.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1. Miles Cooper is expected to appear before Banbury Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning, Friday 23 February 2007. Journalists are advised to check details with the court before attending.

2. Details of charges are:

A On the 18th day of January 2007 at Abingdon in the County of Oxford maliciously caused by gunpowder or other explosive substance an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or to cause serious injury to property.

Contrary to Section 2 Explosive Substances Act 1883

B On the 18th day of January 2007 at Culham in the County of Oxford, Miles Adam Cooper a person in the United Kingdom, unlawfully and maliciously did an act with intent to cause, by an explosive substance, an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.
Contrary to Section 3(1)(a) Explosive Substances Act 1883

C On the 18th day of January 2007 at Birmingham, Miles Adam Cooper, a person in the United Kingdom, unlawfully and maliciously did an act with intent to cause by an explosive substance, an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.

Contrary to Section 3(1)(a) Explosive Substances Act 1883

D On the 3rd day of February 2007 at Folkestone in the County of Kent maliciously caused by gunpowder or other explosive substance an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or to cause serious injury to property.

Contrary to Section 2 Explosive Substances Act 1883

E On the 5th day of February 2007 at London, maliciously caused by gunpowder or other explosive substance an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or to cause serious damage to property.

Contrary to Section 2 Explosive Substances Act 1883

F On the 6th day of February 2007 at Wokingham in the County of Berkshire maliciously caused by gunpowder or other explosive substance an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or to cause serious injury to property.

Contrary to Section 2 Explosive Substances Act 1883

G On the 7th day of February 2007 at Swansea in the County of West Glamorgan maliciously caused by gunpowder or other explosive substance an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or to cause serious injury to property.

Contrary to Section 2 Explosive Substances Act 1883

H On the 18th day of January 2007 at Abingdon in the County of Oxford assaulted Michelle Evans thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.

Contrary to Section 47 Offences Against the Person Act 1861

I On the 3rd day of February 2007 at Folkestone in the County of Kent unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to Michael Winfield with intent to do to another grievous bodily harm.

Contrary to Section 18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861

J On the 5th day of February 2007 at London unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to Maja Kurowald with intent to do to another grievous bodily harm.

Contrary to Section 18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861

K On the 6th day of February 2007 at Wokingham in the County of Berkshire assaulted Richard Gorringe thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.

Contrary to Section 47 Offences Against the Person Act 1861

L On the 7th day of February 2007 at Swansea in the County of West Glamorgan unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to Karen Andrews with intent to do to another grievous bodily harm.

Contrary to Section 18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861

3. CPS-related enquiries to Darren Horsman or Lucy Littlewood, CPS Press Office, 020 7796 8079 or 01189 513268.

4. Information on the CPS including our charging guidance can be found on the CPS website at http://www.cps.gov.uk/

5. The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7084 8946/47/48 (office hours) or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours).

6. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.

7. ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.