Trial hears of 'pipe bomb material' found in Banff

Police searching a property connected with a man suspected of planning terror attacks found material that could be used in pipe bombs, a court has heard.

Connor Ward, 25, from Banff, Aberdeenshire, denies breaching the Terrorism Act.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard his mother's home in the town was searched in November 2014.

Officers recovered 500 ball bearings and a "ninja throwing star" - a multi-pointed throwing knife.

Dozens of knuckledusters were also found, as well as flags that featured swastikas.

Create projectiles

When prosecution lawyer Richard Goddard asked PC Richard Roach why police took away the ball bearings from the house, the officer replied: "Items like this can be used in pipe bombs - that's why it was seized."

PC Roach added: "They would surround the main charge and create projectiles of their own."

The evidence was heard on the second day of the trial.

Under cross-examination, defence advocate Drew McKenzie put it to PC Roach that the ball bearings could be fired from a catapult.

"It would be difficult," said the officer.

The trial, before judge Lord Burns, continues.