One-hour night cycle before mast attack, jury told

CCTV footage has been shown to a jury that prosecutors say captured the moment a woman travelled an hour by bike before causing £1m in damage to a transmission mast.

Martha Goddard, 50, is accused of explosive offences and carrying out a series of targeted attacks in Norwich and Tacolneston, a village to the south of the city, where the mast is located.

Posters left at the scene of the incidents raised issues about Palestine, Gaza and the West Bank, with one calling the BBC "cowards", the court heard.

Standing at Woolwich Crown Court, Goddard denies 16 offences, which include intending to cause explosions, criminal damage and making an explosive substance.

The trial was told the alleged attacks took place between 3 March and 28 September last year.

Security staff said objects had been set alight outside the Forum building in Norwich where BBC studios are located.

Fires were also started outside the McDonald's restaurant in the Haymarket and the Starbucks stores in the Haymarket and St Stephens Street, causing thousands of pounds of damage, the court heard.

The jury was also played footage from CCTV cameras showing a suspect leaving from the direction of Goddard's home in Sarah Williman Close in Norwich on 28 September at 00:35 BST, before travelling in the direction of Tacolneston.

The bike being ridden had a basket on the front and a pannier bag attached to the rear and the same individual was seen returning to Sarah Williman Close after 07:00.

CCTV footage from the Tacolneston transmitting station, which is used to transmit BBC radio and TV broadcasts, showed a suspect inspecting the area earlier between 03:00 and 04:00.

Shortly before 04:30, a "strong light source" believed to be a fire could be seen flashing on the footage, prosecutor Fiona Robertson said.

By daylight at 06:28, flames could be seen flickering from the base of the mast before being extinguished by a member of staff just before 07:00.

The chief investigating officer for the police said a reversible camouflage jacket the suspect was seen wearing during the incidents was later found at Goddard's home, as was a bicycle matching the one seen on CCTV.

The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, continues.

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