Man to stand trial over pipe bomb found under car

Robert Kovacs is set to go on trial at St Albans Crown Court in February

A man accused of attempted murder after a pipe bomb was found under a car is set to go on trial next year.

Robert Kovacs, 38, was arrested after police were called to Cowley Hill in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, on 16 August, following the discovery of a suspicious device.

He appeared before a judge at St Albans Crown Court earlier, and was told that a trial was due to start on 16 February.

Mr Kovacs, of Tenby Road, Edgware, north-west London, denies attempted murder.

Judge Jonathan Mann told Mr Kovacs - who also denies making an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, and doing an act with intent to cause an explosion - that the trial was expected to last about two weeks.

The judge, who remanded Mr Kovacs in custody, said a pre-trial hearing had been fixed for 13 January.

An earlier magistrates' court hearing has been told that controlled explosions were carried out and homes were evacuated after the discovery of the pipe bomb.