Public school porter denies poisoning threat

Maxwell Cook, a kitchen porter at Stowe School since 2007, was arrested in March after carrot and coriander soup due to be served to students was found to be laced with a poisonous cleaning product.

Police said the chemical was added to soup prepared for service at the 27,000-a-year school on March 11.

At the time the school said the substance was noticed during routine tasting and none of the pupils or staff was hurt.

Cook, 57, from Syresham, Brackley, Northamptonshire, yesterday denied attempting to administer poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy, at Aylesbury Crown Court, an official said.

The spokesman said the case was adjourned to November 8 for a hearing to set a trial date.