Teenager’s arson on M3 caused 12-hour delays

A teenager admitted throwing an incendiary device on to the M3 near Winchester, Hants, that led to 12-hour delays on Sept 23.

At Winchester Crown Court, the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted two charges of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and will be sentenced in spring. The second charge related to an incident the week before on the same section of the motorway.

The teenager, from Winchester, also admitted 12 charges of burglary and theft, and two of blackmailing the headmaster of Winchester College.