Man denies terror and arson charges

A man will face trial in October next year charged with terrorism offences and arson attacks on two leisure centres and a bomb hoax.

Ilyas Akhtar, 20, of Cress Road, Slough, Berkshire, is charged with one count of preparing terrorist acts and a separate count of possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

He is further charged with arson attacks at Slough Ice Arena on 14 May and Salt Hill Activity Centre in Slough on 31 May.

Mr Akhtar is also accused of causing a bomb hoax directed at an Asda supermarket in Telford Drive in Slough on 9 May.

The defendant appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday by video-link and spoke only to confirm his name and age.

His barrister Gavin Holme indicated that he will be pleading not guilty to the charges.

The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, set a provisional trial date of 19 October next year at Woolwich Crown Court with a time estimate of four weeks in front of a High Court judge.

Mr Akhtar's next appearance will be a plea and trial preparation hearing on 31 October this year at which the trial date will be considered.

The defendant was remanded in custody.