A north teenager has been charged with having a homemade bomb, sparking the evacuation of a Highland housing estate.
Jack Salter, 17, of Fort William, appeared in private at the town’s sheriff court yesterday in connection with the incident which forced several families to flee their homes on Friday night.
Bomb disposal experts were called after an “unidentified device” was found in a flat in a street in the Upper Achintore area of the Lochaber town.
Police and fire crews were also called to the scene, and closed off Ross Place.
In a 20-minute hearing yesterday afternoon, Salter appeared from custody before Sheriff Richard Davidson.
Salter made no plea and was committed for further examination.
He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in court early next week.
Fiscal depute Kelly Mitchell said one of the charges related to “an alleged homemade explosive device, whereby neighbouring properties were required to be evacuated”.
She added that Salter was also facing four other driver-related charges alleged to have happened between June 14-19.
These include driving a car without a licence and failing to report an accident.
A number of residents were evacuated during Friday night’s drama, but were allowed to return to their homes later that night.
Nobody was injured, and police said at no time was there any danger to the public.
Fort William Provost Allan Henderson praised emergency teams who dealt with the incident.
Provost Henderson also offered his thanks to staff at a town centre hotel who provided sanctuary for families who had to evacuate their homes.