Curry powder letter sparked Wolverhampton council evacuation

A car park had to be evacuated after it was taken outside and police were called to inspect the contents which turned out to be harmless curry powder and spices.

Disgruntled Narval Johnson, who sent the letter, was found guilty at a trial yesterday of sending a threatening letter for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.

Johnson, aged 62, of Farndale Avenue, admitted sending Wolverhampton City Council the envelope filled with coriander powder, garlic powder and black pepper, but said it was as 'a joke'.

Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court heard he had sent 24 threatening letters to the local authority over the two months prior to this offence on June 14, 2013, as he was unhappy with council bills he had been receiving.

Many of them were addressed to 'Satan people' and had the number 666 written on them. In one letter, Johnson claimed he was owed £3 trillion in compensation by various agencies.

Johnson's latest package comprised of two manilla envelopes taped together, one of which was covered with crudely drawn crucifixes, the court heard.

As well as the curry powder, one of the envelopes contained cut up bank cards and had written on one side, 'To Barclaycard white old man' and on the other, 'All your s*** is inside', the court was told.

Taking the stand in court, Johnson began shouting before saying he had sent the letter to the council hoping it would be passed on to 'the Barclay boys'.

Mrs Bally Paul, defending, said Johnson had sent the package as an 'insult' to Barclays and the council, adding that the distinctive smell of curry powder should have been enough to know it was not a threat.

Johnson pleaded not guilty to the charge of sending a threatening letter for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety but was found guilty by magistrates. The case has been adjourned for sentence on January 24.