Grove Park Primary one of schools across country evacuated

A teenager has pleaded guilty in court in connection with a series of hoax bomb threats which led to over 400 schools across the country being closed, including Grove Park Primary in Chiswick.

The 19-year-old admitted making bogus bomb threats that triggered the evacuation of the schools.

George Duke-Cohan, from Watford, also caused an airport security scare by reporting a fake hijacking while on bail.

Last week, at Luton Magistrates' Court, he pleaded guilty to three counts of making hoax bomb threats.

The teenager was remanded in custody until his sentencing at Luton Crown Court on 21 September.

Duke-Cohan, of Mutchetts Close, caused widespread panic in March when he emailed thousands of UK schools to warn about an explosive.

He was arrested days later but in April, he sent another batch of emails to schools in the US and UK while under investigation, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

The teenager claimed a pipe bomb had been planted on the premises.

Duke-Cohan was arrested for a second time and released on bail under the condition he did not use electronic devices.

But months later, in August, his name was in the frame for a third hoax claiming hijackers had taken over a United Airlines flight between UK and San Francisco.

A joint investigation between the NCA and the FBI found Duke-Cohan had called San Francisco Airport and their police force while he was on bail for the two previous offences.

He posed as a worried father, claiming his daughter had contacted him from the flight to say her plane had been hijacked by gunmen with a bomb.

Duke-Cohan was arrested for a third time and found to be in possession of numerous electronic devices, despite the restrictions in place.

Marc Horsfall, NCA senior investigating officer, said the teenager had caused "serious worry and inconvenience to thousands of people" and had "no consideration for the effect he was having on others".

Grove Park Primary is believed to be the only school in Chiswick which opted for an evacuation.

September 8, 2018