Man charged after hoax emails sent to Merseyside schools
Three schools were targeted earlier this month
Last updated 30th Jan 2026
A man has been charged after hoax emails were sent to three schools in Merseyside earlier this month.
The incidents happened at Holly Lodge Girls’ College in West Derby, Greenbank High School in Southport and The Belvidere Academy in Liverpool on Monday 19 January.
21 year old Darren Rigby, from Runcorn, has been charged with sending communication threatening death or serious harm, possession of a controlled Class B drug and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
He's due at Liverpool Magistrates Court today.
Detective Inspector John Black said:
"I would like to take this opportunity to once again reassure parents and carers that schools across Merseyside have well established and practiced procedures to keep children and school staff safe when schools are made aware of potential incidents or threats.
"This work will continue and as a police force we will always look to provide advice to schools if required and carry out enquiries if such incidents occur in the future."