Stockholm science student charged over very bad coffee

A Stockholm University student has been charged over a spate of attacks on university premises and personnel over the past year.

The 25-year-old man is suspected of poisoning coffee in a vending machine, leaving 15 staff and students with diarrhoea and severe stomach upsets in February 2004.

In April, he allegedly left gas taps open in the biochemistry and physics department, where he was enrolled.

"A deliberate gas leak was caused on our premises last year," head of department Stefan Nordlund confirmed. Department freezers containing scientific samples were also sabotaged. On two occasions the electricity was deliberately cut off in breach of health and safety regulations.

After switching courses and enrolling in the department of biology last term, the student allegedly sabotaged one of its laboratories, although the university would not specify the extent of the damage.

Following the attacks, the university worked closely with the police to review and increase campus security measures - including providing guard dogs and more security staff at night. The student, who has been suspended from the university, denies the allegations. The motive for the attacks is unknown.