A MAN facing a bomb hoax charge following an incident in Newport is expected to enter his plea in the new year.

Phillip Balmont is charged with placing an article with intent, which led to members of the armed forces having to carry out a controlled detonation.

The 28-year-old, of Tyntyla Avenue, Pentre, appeared before Newport magistrates at the start of the month, who decided the case should be dealt with at crown court.

In Newport Crown Court yesterday, Balmont was bailed until February 21. The charge against him alleges that on Thursday, April 4, he placed a ‘creatine tub’ with wires attached to it and a plastic bag filled with powder, at the Wickes store on Barrack Hill, Newport, near the Harlequin roundabout.

People faced three hours of disruption with road closures and a 100-metre cordon.

Dozens of police vans, ambulances and two fire engines attended and cordoned off the end of Barrack Hill, Evans Street and the top of Malpas Road.

Wickes, Aldi staff and nearby residents were evacuated.

An army disposal team was called in and a remote controlled robot used.

Police later confirmed the package was not explosive.