IPSWICH: He is facing a charge under the Terrorism Act after opening up two suspect packages at the centre of a bomb scare in Ipswich.

But today James Mullan said he was only trying to help.

The 62-year-old of Main Road, Kesgrave, has been charged with failing to comply with a police cordon, after ducking under police tape in the midst of the drama on the Corn Hill in Ipswich on Tuesday night.

The Town Hall, nearby buildings and the town’s market were evacuated after a rucksack and holdall were discovered abandoned in the Customer Services Centre at the Town Hall at around 2.30pm.

At around 5.10pm Mr Mullan broke through the barrier and into the building, opening the suspect bags to discover clothes and trainers.

The father-of-one, who is due to appear at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court on December 1, said: “I thought I was doing good, I was trying to help.”

n See this website at 3pm for the full story – and details of a second bomb alert