A TEENAGER launched a £1m blackmail plot against a security firm with a threat to blow up their vehicles, a court has been told.

Daniel Garland is accused of telling a G4S employee that bombs had been attached to the company's vans, and private cars owned by members of staff.

The plot by Garland, from Chester-le-Street, is alleged to have taken place in January of this year at the firm's offices in Thornaby, near Stockton.

At Teesside Crown Court, the 19-year-old, dressed in a grey suit, denied blackmail in that he "made an unwarranted demand for £1m with menaces".

He admits a bomb hoax in which he told G4S employee Dean Jeffels that explosive devices were placed on the security company's vans.

Garland admits he "communicated information to Mr Jeffels that he knew to be false with the intention of leading people to believe bombs liable to explode or ignite had been attached the vehicles owned by G4S as well as vehicles owned by employees of G4S".

Nicci Horton, for Garland, said she intended to call a psychiatrist to determine whether he could have formed the intent to carry out the blackmail, but added: "This is not about his fitness to stand trial."

The case was adjourned by Judge Howard Crowson until September 12 when Garland, of Durham Place, is expected to stand trial.

He was given bail until his next appearance on condition that he does not contact prosecution witnesses.

The security firm, which has a regional office in Magister Road, Thornaby, but headquarters in Crawley, west Sussex, describes itself as ""the leading global integrated security company, specialising in the provision of security products and services". 

Staff collect money from cash-point machines, and have a contract to take prisoners to and from court, and guard them in the dock while they are there.

It claims to be the "largest secure outsource company in the UK and Ireland" and says it has more than 10,000 customers, including 59 FTSE companies on its books.

The company was set up in 2004 when London-based firm Securicor amalgamated with Danish business group Group 4 Falck, and also runs some private prisons.

It has been reported as being the world's largest security company measured by revenue, and has operations in about 125 countries, with more than 600,000 employees.

It is not known if Garland's threats were aimed at what are called 'cash-in-transit' vehicles, or those which transport prisoners.