Suffolk man, 64, jailed for hoax terror threats in Essex and London

Gary Preston sent 42 envelopes containing white powder

A man has been jailed for more than four years after targeting schools, shopping centres and businesses in a hoax terrorism campaign.

Gary Preston, 64, from Haverhill, Suffolk, sent envelopes containing white powder and threatening letters in 2013.

One of them resulted in a 303-bedroom hotel being evacuated.

Preston was sentenced at the same time to another five years in prison for an indecent assault.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that Preston sent 42 envelopes containing white powder, which was later confirmed to be talcum powder, to various places between 20 September and 4 November 2013.

Among the venues targeted were the Westfield shopping centre in London, schools and colleges in Braintree, Essex, and the Premier Inn at Stansted Airport.

The addresses were either printed and stuck onto the envelopes or handwritten in black ink.

Westfield shopping centre in London was targeted

Some of the envelopes contained threatening letters that included small texts of Arabic, such as: "Think fast, you have seconds Inshallah."

He was sentenced to four years and three months in prison after previously pleading guilty to 21 charges of sending a hoax substance contrary to the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

He was also sentenced to a further five years and three months in prison for a serious indecent assault at knifepoint that occurred on 26 January 1988 at a women's public toilets in Rainham, London.

Preston, who appeared in court via a video link from Chelmsford prison, spoke only to confirm his identity before the sentences were handed down.

The Premier Inn at Stansted Airport received one of the envelopes

Judge Andrew Lees said the two jail terms were to be served consecutively, giving Preston a total of nine years and six months in prison.

The judge added there was "a significant risk" of the defendant "committing further specified offences", which was an aggravating factor in the sentence.

Hannah Wilkinson, of the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, said: "By targeting places such as primary schools and airports, there's no doubt that Preston had set out to cause as much distress and worry as he could.

"It's a positive outcome that Preston will now spend a significant spell behind bars."