Man who put pellets in kettle is told: You could be jailed

Christopher Allen, of Nookfields, Harwood, also put a number of pellets in a jar of coffee following a row over his working hours, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Allen, aged 38, admitted three counts of administering poison with intent to injure two men and a woman who were among his colleagues at Autoglass Windscreens in Manchester Road, Burnden.

His Honour Judge Morris told him: "You have pleaded guilty to what are three very serious charges. No one suffered serious injuries, but one of the victims did complain of a badly upset stomach for more than 24 hours.

"This is a very serious matter and I may have to consider a custodial sentence."

The incident followed a disagreement over hours between Allen and his company bosses.

His victims were named in court as Andrew Stones, Nigel Gill, and Julie Collins. They all used water boiled in the kettle to make drinks.

Graham Robinson, defending, said: "This is a very unusual case. This defendant placed into the kettle a number of pellets of poison.

"He accepted in interview that he had put them in the kettle."

Mr Robinson added that Allen was a 38-year old man of good character.

Al Bassano, prosecuting, said: "He had no way of knowing the strength of these tablets and he accepts putting them in the kettle."

The court heard the poisoning incidents took place on Monday, May 25, last year.

Allen spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and to plead guilty to all three of the charges in court yesterday.

Magistrates had previously told Allen that the case could only be heard at Bolton Crown Court.

His Honour Judge Morris adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Allen was released on bail and will appear before Bolton Crown Court again in three weeks.

An Autoglass spokesman said the incident had been "extremely distressing" for the three victims.

She added: "It is a police matter that is now closed and we have no comment to make."