Ex-teacher in Novichok hoax case

A FORMER teacher has appeared in court accused of a Novichok hoax at a Welsh castle after the Salisbury poisonings.

John Ap Evans, 66, from Pembrokeshire, is accused of putting bottles of a hoax noxious substance in Wogan’s Cavern at Pembroke Castle in South Wales on five separate occasions in July 2018.

He denied the charges yesterday, telling Westminster Magistrates’ Court that he wanted to appear at Crown Court to “explain to the judge what happened”.

The court heard that two bottles with the word “Novichok” labelled on them were placed in the cavern of the castle, an area which is open to the public.

The discovery of the bottles caused fear and the castle was evacuated, the court heard.

More were placed later in the month before police set up a covert camera.

Evans, a former teacher, who gave his address as Northgate Street, Pembroke, represented himself.

He was released on unconditional bail until his trial at the Old Bailey on July 24.