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A Lincoln man accused of soliciting murder and staging a bomb hoax worked for the city council.

David Parnham, 35, has been charged with 14 offences after getting arrested in Lincoln on Tuesday, June 12, when searches took place at a home and office building in the city centre.

Among the charges he is accused of soliciting murder, staging a bomb hoax and sending threatening letters.

His arrest came after an investigation into so-called Punish a Muslim day letters, which were circulated in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Metropolitan Police force areas and urged people to attack members of the Muslim community - saying points would be awarded for attacks.

It has now emerged Parnham had a role at City of Lincoln Council.

"We have been assisting the police with their investigation over the past week and can confirm that an employee of City of Lincoln Council has now been charged following his arrest on June 12," Angela Andrews, chief executive of City of Lincoln Council, said.

"We are all deeply shocked by these events and the allegations against the member of staff.

"These alleged views and actions do not reflect the values or culture of City of Lincoln Council in any way whatsoever and, if true, are confined to the individual.

"Unfortunately, as this is a live investigation and court proceedings are active, we are not able to say anything further at this time."

The 14 charges Parnham faces include soliciting to murder, sending a number of letters promoting a ‘punish a Muslim’ day , sending a substance with the intention of inducing in a person a belief that it is likely to contain a noxious substance and thereby endanger human life or create a serious risk to human health.

He’s also charged with sending a number of letters conveying a threat intending to cause the recipient of the letter distress or anxiety and a bomb hoax.

Parnham, of St Andrew's Close in Lincoln, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, Friday, June 15.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on June 29.