Shopping centre 'bomb' - suspect found not guilty

The discovery of the home made explosive - made from a firelighter, an aerosol can, a Lego box and a toilet roll tube - led to a mass evacuation and closed the Fishergate Centre on December 17, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.But the man arrested over the incident - David Rutherford, 25, who lived with his mother on Barry Avenue, Ingol, Preston - was unanimously found not guilty of being responsible by jurors at Preston Crown Court.

They found he was not responsible for charges of making an improvised incendiary device with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property, or doing an act with intent to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause injury or damage to propertyHis mother Jean, who was watching from the public gallery burst into tears as the verdict was given.

It remains unclear as to whether the probe will continue.

Follow lep.co.uk for updates