‘Nerdy’ science buff claimed he had caused explosion in garden shed, court told

Harry Whittaker departs the Old Bailey in central London (Jonathan Brady/PA) - (PA Wire)

A “nerdy” science buff claimed to have caused an explosion while carrying out experiments in his shed, then blamed a life-threatening allergic reaction on his mother’s potpourri, a court has heard.

Harry Whittaker, 33, is on trial at the Old Bailey charged with making and possessing explosive substances at the semi-detached home he shares with his mother in the Bedfordshire village of Caddington, near Luton.