Bomb suspect 'too ill for court'

Keith Cottingham was extradited from Spain in 2002

A 73-year-old accused of killing a Kent woman with a parcel bomb was too ill to attend the Old Bailey on Monday where his trial was due to start.

Retired businessman Keith Cottingham is alleged to have killed Barbara Harrold, a 53-year-old grandmother, in May 1984.

Mr Cottingham, who is on remand in jail, has a chest infection and his case is now due to begin next week.

He has been in custody at Elmley Prison on Sheppey since his extradition from Spain in November 2002.

Gift-wrapped package

Mr Cottingham formerly lived near Sevenoaks before moving to Spain in 1981, where he has a home.

He denies any part in the murder of Mrs Harrold who suffered fatal injuries when the bomb exploded at her home, The Olde Cottage, in The Street, Ightham, Kent.

She died three days after opening the gift-wrapped package which blasted airgun darts and nails into her stomach.

Mr Cottingham was extradited last year from Spain's Costa Blanca where he had been living with his wife and two children, near Benidorm.

Spanish police had arrested him in 2001 following changes to extradition rules.