School bomb plot accused in court

Two teenagers accused of planning to blow up a school and a shopping centre on the anniversary of the Columbine massacre appeared in court today.

The youths, aged 16 and 17, allegedly had a plan to strike on 20 April this year, 10 years to the day since the attack on Columbine High School in Colorado, US.

Both teenagers, who cannot be named because of their age, are from Greater Manchester and jointly accused of a single charge of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life and injure property between 1 November, 2007 and 15 March, 2009.

The elder boy is also charged with possession of child pornography.

The school allegedly targeted cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Both boys appeared at Manchester Crown Court this morning via videolink when a trial date was fixed for September 1 at the same court.

There was no application for bail and reporting restrictions were not lifted.

Both accused were remanded in custody for a further preliminary hearing on 13 July.

The Columbine High School attack was carried out by disaffected teenagers Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, members of the Trench Coat Mafia, a clique of students influenced by Goth culture.

They used bombs and guns to attack their school killing 12 students and a teacher before turning the guns on themselves.