A REAL IRA terror cell planted three bombs intending to bring death and destruction to mainland Britain, an Old Bailey jury has heard.

It is alleged that brothers Robert Hulme, 23, and Aiden Hulme, 26, and Noel Maguire, 34, all of no fixed abode, planted car bombs in West London and Birmingham.

The allegations cover blasts in the centre of Ealing and outside the BBC offices in White City and dramatic footage of the blast outside the television centre was shown to the jury.

The jury heard that it was 'nothing short of a miracle' that no-one was killed when the gang planted the two car bombs. One device in a maroon taxi exploded outside the BBC TV centre in March 2001 and a second went off in Ealing Broadway in August, 2001.

Robert and Aiden Hulme and Maguire deny involvement in the terror campaign but James McCormack, 34, and John Hannan, 19, also of no fixed abode, have both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause explosions.

The court heard on Tuesday that a witness heard Aiden Hulme bragging that he knew top Real IRA bosses while he was running an illegal diesel washing scam at disused farms across the country.

The witness, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, described how part of the diesel scam was run by two men he knew only as Dan and Peter. He said: "I once spoke to Aiden about Dan and Peter. One thing sticks in my mind is a comment he made. I don't know the exact words but he said they were top IRA men."

The jury was told that all the devices were car bombs, each used similar home made explosives and detonators and the same code word was used as a warning.

Prosecuting Orlando Pownall QC said there was no direct evidence linking the Hulme brothers or Maguire to planting the bombs. Suspects had been caught on CCTV but it could not be proved they were the three men in the dock.

However, the prosecution said they would rely on mobile telephone records, the association of the three men with the guilty pair and their association with different addresses along with fingerprint and DNA evidence.

Robert Hulme and Maguire deny conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, two charges of possessing an explosive substance with intent to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, and possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Aiden Hulme denies conspiracy to cause explosions.

The trial continues.

January 30, 2003 10:30