Man charged over pipe bomb in County Durham school

Sep 13 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A TEENAGER has been charged with making an explosive device at the public school where his father worked as a caretaker.

David Riding, 19, sparked an alert after making a suspected pipe bomb in the grounds of Durham High School for Girls in November last year.

He was arrested after the discovery of the small homemade explosive device in the grounds of the caretaker’s accommodation at Farewell Hall, off South Road, Durham.

Police also found materials which can be used for bomb-making.

An Army bomb disposal unit from Catterick, North Yorkshire, raced to the £2,800-a-term school to render the device safe.

Shortly after the discovery Riding was arrested and questioned by police in Durham.

He was released on bail pending further inquiries and has answered his bail a number of times since then. Riding, the son of school caretaker Kevin Riding, has been described as a keen motorcyclist who worked until recently in a DIY shop.

At the time of the discovery, his father confirmed he was aware of the incident, but added that he did not want to comment further.

The news of a bomb alert shocked parents at the 578-pupil school – whose former pupils include opera singer Joanna Burton, actress Wendy Craig, and news presenters Wendy Gibson and Sarah Gatenby – although headteacher Ann Templeman stressed that the students were in no danger.

At the time, a spokeswoman at the school said: “We can confirm there was an incident and police are dealing with it.”

She added that the school, which dates from 1884 and caters for girls aged three to 18, was perfectly safe.

She said: “There was no risk to pupils or staff and everyone is carrying on as normal.”

Police sources stressed that there was no suggestion of any links to terrorism. Riding is no longer living on the school premises.

A Durham Police spokesman said yesterday: “A 19-year-old man answered his bail on Tuesday and was charged with making an explosive device for unlawful purposes.

“The process required the approval of the Attorney General.”

Riding will appear before Consett magistrates on September 23.