A man accused of two acts of arson and a bomb hoax in Slough has indicated he will deny planning acts of terrorism. Ilyas Akhtar, 20, allegedly set fire at Salt Hill Activity Centre in the Berkshire town on May 31 and Slough Ice Arena on Montem Lane on May 14.
He is further alleged to have made a bomb hoax at the town’s Asda supermarket on Telford Drive on May 9. Akhtar is charged with preparing acts of terrorism, possessing information useful to terrorists, two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and causing a bomb hoax.
The defendant, of Cress Road, Slough, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday for a preliminary hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb. He appeared by video-link from Wormwood Scrubs and spoke only to confirm his identity.
It was indicated on his behalf that he would enter not guilty pleas to the charges against him. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a plea and case management hearing on October 31 with a provisional four-week trial before a High Court judge from October 19 next year at Woolwich Crown Court.
The bearded defendant, who wore a prison issue grey T-shirt, was remanded into custody until the next hearing. Akhtar was charged following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, with authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service.
At the time of the fires, Detective Superintendent Andy Penrith, of Thames Valley Police, had sought to reassure the public and said that patrols in the area would be stepped up.
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