2 days ago
Gardener wrongly accused of making bomb threat to school over Welsh accent mix-up
Staff and nearby residents were evacuated from the area after a bomb threat was reported by the school
BOMB FEAR Gardener wrongly accused of making bomb threat to school over Welsh accent mix-up
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A GARDENER was wrongly accused of making a bomb threat to a school — when the receptionist misunderstood his Welsh accent.
James Morgan asked if any of the primary children would be 'back home or in school' as he worked nearby.
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But owing to his quick speaking and thick accent, the receptionist thought he said 'bomb in school', a court heard.
She told the head, who called 999.
Police evacuated Badbury Park Primary in Swindon in February.
Staff and nearby residents were allowed back six hours later after the all-clear.
The city's crown court heard Morgan, 36, rang to ask if he had time to litter-pick in a nearby park before children left school.
Prosecutor Nicholas Mather said the receptionist heard Morgan say 'bomb in the school' before hanging up.
But Morgan said he ended the 31-second call after it became apparent that she could not make out what he was saying.
A jury took two hours to find Morgan, of Marlborough, Wilts, not guilty of intentionally communicating false information.
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