A GWENT man pleaded not guilty to making an explosive substance with the intent to endanger life at Cardiff Crown Court today.

Mark Wise, of Oaklands Road, Sebastopol, Pontypool, was arrested after a bomb alert in Risca in March.

Wise spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea.

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of making an explosive substance, relating to a nail bomb and a pipe bomb, with intent to endanger life or cause injury to property.

He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of making an explosive substance, relating to the same two devices, under such circumstances as to give suspicion that he was not making it for “a lawful object”.

Wise has been accused of making the nail and pipe bombs between December 1, 2013 and February 27 this year.

The 51-year-old was remanded in custody until his trial on August 6, which is expected to last for three days.

A 50-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the same offence in March was released without charge.