Trial of Surrey man halted after defendant hospitalised with Covid

An Old Bailey terrorism trial has been halted after the defendant was taken to hospital with Covid.

Financial analyst Asad Bhatti, 48, from Surrey, went on trial last week accused of making explosives.

On Monday, the trial judge Mr Justice Wall discharged the jury.

The judge said that Bhatti had been taken to hospital suffering from coronavirus and been put in an induced coma.

The judge adjourned the case to a further hearing on January 28 next year.

Bhatti, of Holland Close, Redhill, had denied two counts of possessing explosives, one count of making explosives and two counts of possessing articles for terrorist purposes.

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