Man charged after hoax messages sent to three schools in Merseyside

A man has been charged after hoax emails were sent to three schools in Merseyside earlier this month.

The three incidents occurred on Monday 19 January (Holly Lodge Girls’ College in West Derby), on Friday 23 January (Greenbank High School in Southport) and on Monday 26 January (The Belvidere Academy in Liverpool).

Following extensive enquiries, Darren Rigby, 21, of Worthington Close, in Runcorn, was arrested and has now been charged with the following offences:

• - Three counts of sending communication threatening death or serious harm
• - Possession of a controlled Class B drug
• - Possession of an offensive weapon in a private place (a baton)

He is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrate’s Court this morning (Friday 30 January).

Detective Inspector John Black said: “I hope our investigation reassures our communities how seriously we take these reports.

“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.”