A MAN appeared before magistrates accused of attempting to poison three people.

Christopher Allen, of Nookfields, Harwood, spoke only to confirm his name and address during the brief hearing at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday.

The 38-year-old is facing three charges of unlawfully and maliciously administering rat poison to three people with intent to injure, aggrieve of cause annoyance.

The charges are believed to relate to alleged incidents when Allen was an employee at Autoglass in Manchester Road. The alleged victims are Andrew Stones, Nigel Gill, and Julie Collins.

The first incident allegedly took place on Saturday, May 25, and the other two are said to have happened two days later.

The exact details surrounding the three alleged incidents were not put before the court yesterday. Magistrates told Allen the case could only be heard at Bolton Crown Court.

He was released on unconditional bail. The case was adjourned until Thursday, November 7.