Patchway man pleads guilty to bomb hoax near police station

The A38 was shut outside the police station as the army investigated a package

A man has pleaded guilty to creating a bomb hoax after a police centre and nearby homes had to be evacuated.

An Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit (EOD) was called to Patchway Police Centre shortly after 17:00 BST on 5 August, 2023.

A 328ft (100m) cordon had to be set up for the EOD to examine a suspicious item, police said.

Jason Lenton, of Southmead, Bristol, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court on 19 December, 2023.

Patchway Police Centre and several homes had to be evacuated

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said that as a precaution, while the EOD investigated, people had been asked to leave nearby homes and businesses.

They later concluded the object did not present a risk to the public.

Lenton, pleaded guilty to placing an article with intent and will appear at Bristol Crown Court on 9 February for sentencing.