A SUSPECT has been sent to crown court after the town centre was left in fear over a fake bomb.

Sergio Costa, of Elm Park Road, Reading was arrested by Thames Valley Police after a hoax package was left in the toilets of The Oracle shopping centre on June 12.

He appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday and chose not to enter a plea.

The 46-year-old was charged with one count of a bomb hoax on July 3 after placing an article with intent to cause fear of explosion or ignition.

Costa was accused of placing a printed circuit board, consisting of two D cell batteries and unknown white powder, intending to appear as an improvised explosive device.

Using the help of a Portuguese interpreter, Costa confirmed his name and address and was granted bail.

He will appear at Reading Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 4 to determine his plea.

Lesley Gilmore, prosecuting, invited the bench to send the case to the crown court, as it was too serious for magistrates to deal with.

She added: "You will appreciate that everybody by now knows that The Oracle was closed for most of the day.

"This device was reported and all of the emergency services including the Armed Forces attended.

"It is a very serious matter."

The Oracle was closed all day and road closures were put in place after a suspect package was found in the men's toilets near House Of Fraser.

A bomb disposal unit was dispatched along with the hazardous substances team, and word quickly spread that a bag with wires coming out of it had been left in the toilets.