Suspect package was alarm clock

Welcome said the clock had not been working when he sent it

A man who caused a bomb scare when he posted a "ticking parcel" to a night club has pleaded guilty to causing nuisance.

Police and bomb disposal experts were called to the Mustang Sally club in Folkestone when the suspicious package arrived in July last year.

But the parcel was only ticking because it contained an alarm clock.

Andrew Welcome, who sent the package, appeared before the Old Bailey on Monday.

'No panic intended'

The court heard Welcome, 36, of Rendezvous Street in Folkestone, sent the parcel to a bouncer at the club.

He lived opposite the club and had witnessed a fight between the bouncer and another man, the court was told.

When the package was opened it was found to contain a bible, a hymn book and an alarm clock.

The court heard Welcome had told police the clock had not been working when he wrapped it up and he had not intended to cause panic.

He admitted causing nuisance and was placed under a two year rehabilitation order.