The sentencing of a man who sent a hoax bomb that shut down the village of Flushing has been adjourned.

Lee Francis Moody, aged 58, of St Dogmaels, previously admitted sending a fake bomb to an address in Flushing, Cornwall, which led to the coastal village being shut down.

He initially denied the charge, but admitted it at Swansea Crown Court on February 17.

He had also previously admitted a charge of sending a letter with intent to cause distress or anxiety to the same recipient as the hoax bomb.

Moody was due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court today (March 24) and appeared via video link from HMP Swansea where he has been detained on remand.

Dafydd Thomas, defending, requested an adjournment in the sentencing as after reading the lengthy pre-sentence report, they believed a full medical report would be needed to ensure the correct length of jail time, due to mental health conditions mentioned including PTSD.

His Honour Judge Geraint Walters adjourned the case to April 28, remanding Moody in custody.

Falmouth Packet: The bomb disposal team’s robot that was used in Flushing to inspect the suspicious package in January. The bomb disposal team’s robot that was used in Flushing to inspect the suspicious package in January. (Image: Jeremy Ward)

Police were called to Trefusis Road in the early hours of Sunday, January 8 to reports of a suspicious package at one of the homes in the road.

The Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team were contacted to investigate the package. A command centre was set up by the police at Tregew Barn above the village.

Houses were evacuated as a precaution and residents were supported as they awaited EOD assessment. 

People were advised that anyone needing somewhere to go while the evacuation was in progress that the Food Barn at Tregew was open and so was the church hall and St Peter's Church.

A 100m cordon was put in in place and the roads surrounding the area were also closed.