First picture of teenager accused of plotting bomb and gun attack on college

Plot: Police is accused of possessing a firearm and bombs with an intent to endanger life

A teenager grinned as he appeared in court today accused of plotting a bomb attack on a college.

Dressed in a grey sweat shirt and black trousers, Liam Lyburd, 18, appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates' Court charged with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life, and five counts of possessing an explosive substance, namely a pipe bomb, with intent to endanger life.

Accused: Lyburd planned an attack on one of the country's biggest training colleges, a court heard

 

The firearm charge related to alleged possession of a Glock pistol and the ammunition charge involved alleged possession of a number of bullets.

Lyburd, of Hamilton Place, Newcastle, spoke only to confirm his address and date of birth.

No pleas were entered and he was remanded in custody to appear before Newcastle Crown Court on November 20.

Discovery: Prosecutors say they found nail bombs during searches of Lyburd's Newcastle home

 

The estate where he lives, near St James' Park football stadium in Newcastle, was cordoned off on Monday while searches were carried out.

The college has around 45,000 pupils aged 14 and over, and 1200 staff.

It specialises in training and educational courses, and is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK.

Former pupils include Ant and Dec, comedian Ross Noble, X Factor winner Joe McElderry and Perrie Edwards from Little Mix