A JURY retired yesterday to consider its verdicts in the case of a man accused of being a white supremacist "on the cusp" of launching a terror campaign.

A JURY retired yesterday to consider its verdicts in the case of a man accused of being a white supremacist "on the cusp" of launching a terror campaign.

Neil Lewington, who was arrested at Lowestoft railway station, was alleged to have developed a bomb factory in his bedroom and aimed to target "those he considered non-British'.

He had an "unhealthy interest' in the London nail bomber David Copeland, America's Unabomber and Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh, the Old Bailey heard.

He was said to have boasted to a girlfriend that he could make shrapnel bombs from tennis balls.

Lewington, 43, was arrested at Lowestoft station last year after abusing a female train conductor and was said to be carrying the component parts of two "viable improvised incendiary devices'.

Later searches of his home in Tilehurst, Reading, Berks, revealed a notebook entitled "Waffen SS UK members' handbook' containing drawings of electronics and chemical mixtures, according to the prosecution.

Lewington denies eight charges including preparing for terrorism, having articles and documents for terrorism, and possessing explosives to endanger life.

David Etherington QC, defending, said there was not enough evidence to prove the prosecution case against Lewington.

"He is an oddball,' Mr Etherington said.

He asked the jury: "Is he the real deal? Is he a terrorist or is he just a big pest, a nuisance?'

Mr Etherington suggested Lewington was a "silly immature alcoholic dysfunctional twit, fantasising to make up for a rather sad life'.

The jury was sent home and will resume deliberations today.