A former Royal Marine who planted fake bombs outside a lawyers chambers received training on improvised explosive devices, a court heard.
Michael Broddle, 46, was allegedly hired by wealthy businessman Jonathan Nuttall, 50, to plant two packages resembling explosive devices at Gray’s Inn barristers’ chambers.
Barristers Andrew Sutcliffe KC and Anne Jeavons had both acted for the National Crime Agency in the recovery of £1m of assets from Nuttall’s wife Amanda Nuttall in 2019, the Old Bailey heard.
Jurors have heard Mrs Nuttall won £2.4m on the lottery but her husband was losing his family home, Embley Manor in Romsey, as part of his settlement with the NCA.
Nuttall recruited Broddle through his driver and the former Royal Marine spied on the lawyers and their families for six months, jurors were told.
Jonathan Nuttall (pictured) arrives at the Old Bailey, in central London, where he, along with Charlie Broddle, 18, Michael Broddle, 46, Joshua Broddle, 20, and Michael Sode, 58, are on trial accused of a conspiracy to plant explosive devices targeted at lawyers working in Gray’s Inn
Andrew Sutcliffe KC (pictured) and Anne Jeavons had both acted for the National Crime Agency in the recovery of £1m of assets from Nuttall’s wife Amanda Nuttall in 2019
The businessman and his associates allegedly set off smoke grenades to cause maximum alarm causing buildings to be evacuated, roads cordoned off and 85 police officers to attend the scene.
Broddle has admitted two counts of placing an article with intention of inducing a belief it would explode or ignite and possession of an explosive substance.
The packages, addressed to Mr Sutcliffe, included a nose trimmer to make them vibrate, the court heard.
Nuttall, his driver Michael Sode, 58, along with Broddle’s two sons Joshua Broddle, 20, and Charlie Broddle, 18, all deny two counts of placing an article with intent.
Another of Michael Broddle’s sons, George Gray, 25, is charged alongside Nuttall, Sode, Michael Broddle and Joshua, with attempting to transfer money paid as a result of the criminal conduct at Gray’s Inn.
Jurors heard Broddle served in the Royal Marines for 11 years after joining on 10 January 1994 at the age of 17.
He became a corporal and worked as an instructor, medic and safety supervisor.
Joshua Broddle, 20, outside the Old Bailey, central London
Prosecutor Lucy Organ, reading facts agreed between the prosecution and defence, said: ‘He moved from post to post gaining skills including weapons training, demolitions training and skills to be deployed anywhere in the world.
‘He became more proficient with weapons training as he moved through his career, including rifles and grenades training.
‘He received training on what the components of an improvised explosive device were.’
He quit the marines on 5 July 2005 just after the birth of his son Charlie.
He then worked as a freelance security consultant, earning up to £32,000 a year.
Nuttall, of Embley Lane, Romsey, Sode, of Fusion Apartments, Lewisham, and Joshua and Charlie both of White Bear Lane, Hounslow, deny two counts of conspiracy to place an article with intent to induce the belief it would explode or ignite.
Michael Broddle, also of White Bear Lane, Hounslow, admits the two counts and possession of an explosive substance.
Charlie Broddle denies possession of an explosive substance.
Nuttall, Sode, Michael Broddle, Joshua and Gray, of Harrow Road, Wembley, deny conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Nuttall denies six counts of failing to comply with a notice by failing to disclose the PIN or passcode of phones and devices. Sode denies two counts of the same charge.
The trial continues tomorrow.
DailyMail
