Neo-Nazi spoke of 'tennis ball bombs'

AN alleged white supremacist spoke to a girlfriend about launching an attack on her Asian neighbours using bombs made from tennis balls, a court has heard.

AN alleged white supremacist spoke to a girlfriend about launching an attack on her Asian neighbours using bombs made from tennis balls, a court has heard.

Neil Lewington, 43, is said to have been preparing to launch a campaign of terrorism after building a bomb factory at his home in Tilehurst.

He made the comments after claiming the neighbours had given him a "dirty look", his ex-girlfriend Cynthia Little told the Old Bailey.

The defendant, accused of preparing for acts of terror, also said he was once a skinhead who beat people up, she said.

Mr Lewington, of Reading, Berks, denies eight terrorism and explosives charges.

Ms Little told the court how the defendant had "gone on about" the tennis ball bombs after passing her neighbours in the street.

"He was going on about bombs - that he could make bombs out of tennis balls and he asked me for their house number, which I didn't know," she said.

"He said it would be easy to throw something or leave something there because no-one would see who did it. Presumably he was talking about tennis balls."

She went on to say that Mr Lewington had recalled how "he used to be a skinhead and they used to beat up Pakistanis and coloureds".

Mr Lewington also made false claims about serving as a Paratrooper during the Falklands War, she said.

Prosecutors claim the defendant had established a bomb factory at his parents' home in Reading and wanted to target those he regarded as "non-British".

The court has heard how he was arrested at Lowestoft railway station in October last year allegedly carrying the components for two home-made bombs.

Later searches of Mr Lewington's home found a notebook entitled "Waffen SS UK members' handbook" which contained drawings of electronics and chemical mixtures and a "production line" for bomb making, jurors heard.

He denies eight charges including preparing for terrorism, having articles and documents for terrorism, and possessing explosives to endanger life.

The court also heard from his parents, who described him as a an alcoholic loner who had twice attempted suicide and would often drink 16 pints a day. His mother Margaret Lewington said she would rarely go into his bedroom and he had Blu-Tack over the key hole.

"He was in a world of his own," said Mrs Lewington.

Tanker driver Christopher Lewington, the defendant's father, said he had not spoken to his son for 10 years, although he said he had heard him use racist language.

The trial continues.