A 27-year-old man charged over letter bombs sent to addresses across the country, including one in Kent, was today remanded in custody by a court.

School caretaker Miles Cooper faces 12 charges under the Explosive Substances Act and the Offences Against the Person Act.

He appeared at Banbury Magistrates' Court in Oxfordshire in connection with seven devices posted over a three-week period.

Nine people were hurt in the attacks. One victim was 53-year-old Mike Wingfield, of Craufurd Green, Cheriton, near Folkestone, who received cuts to his stomach and fingers.

His wife was deafened by the explosion that came after he opened a jiffy bag at his home on Saturday, February 3.

Cooper was arrested at his home in Cherry Hinton, on the outskirts of Cambridge, on Monday. He was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Oxford Crown Court on March 2. No plea was entered.

Seven of the 12 charges relate to the seven letter bombs. The other five charges relate to the people who were injured after opening them.