A FORENSIC scientist told the home-made bomb trial how he linked fragments of a scaffolding pipe and a metal press.

David Smith told jurors he had carried out an examination at the Home Office’s forensic laboratory in Chepstow.

He said he had been asked by Hampshire police to see if there was any link between them.

The pieces had been found next to a Vauxhall Vectra that had been badly damaged on a drive outside a house in Chadwick Road, Eastleigh, and the metal press had been seized from the home of suspect Robert White.

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He told Southampton Crown Court that the pieces of metal had circular impression marks consistent with being made by the press.

“I was satisfied this press had made them,” he said.

Mr Smith was giving in the evidence in the trial of Robert White, 19, of Truro Rise, Eastleigh, who is alleged to have blown up the Vauxhall with an improvised bomb contained in scaffolding pipe.

It is alleged he exploded the device because his aunt and uncle were having strained relations with the vehicle’s owner who lived next door.

White, 19, denies causing an explosion and endangering life or causing serious injury to property.

Proceeding