A PARANOID schizophrenic from Crewe who sent a string of mail bombs to companies and individuals across England and Wales is to be detained indefinitely at a specialist clinic.

Judge Elgan Edwards described the actions of 27-year-old Glynn Harding as pure evil' and the bomber only escaped a life sentence because of his medical condition.

In sentencing, Judge Edwards said: "You conducted a terrifying campaign by sending mail bombs through the post, putting people at risk and causing injury."

Harding, from Minshull New Road in Crewe, is now to be detained under the Mental Health Act at the specialist Scott clinic on Merseyside.

He is not to be released unless Home Secretary, David Blunkett, grants permission.

At the hearing at Chester Crown Court, Harding pleaded guilty to 16 counts related to sending explosive devices.

Harding admitted 12 counts of sending an explosive substance, three counts of causing injury by the explosives and a further count of having an explosive device in what has been described as a bomb box'.

The defendant started sending mail bombs in December last year and randomly sent them to organisations with connections with animals.

He learnt how to make the explosives from books and the internet.

Mr Duncan Bould, prosecuting, said that although Harding's actions bore all the hallmarks' of being connected with animal rights campaigners, there was no evidence to show this was the case.

Three people were injured by exploding letter bombs including six-year-old Leah Cain from Church Lawton.

Leah suffered leg and feet injuries when opening a parcel at her parent's home.

Other targets were a fish and chip shop, in Holywell, and a Cancer Research shop in Lytham St Anne's.

In the worst incident, Janet Blythe, a worker at a Humberside company lost her left eye after opening a letter in January of this year.

The court was told the incident had a devastating effect' on her life.

Police from 13 forces were involved in Operation Packet to capture Harding and officers were able to intercept several packages before his arrest.

The defendant was caught in Crewe when police spotted him putting parcels into post boxes while wearing gloves.

A search of his house revealed bomb-making equipment.

The court heard that when interviewed, Harding gave full admissions to police.

Harding told police his wife had a miscarriage the previous year and after this he heard voices saying he would need to send 100 packages so that the baby, who was in hell, would go to heaven.

Mr Bould said that Harding admitted feeling sick at sending the messages but did not stop. He said: "When you send a bomb it is going to hurt somebody."

Mr Simon Mills, defending, said that Harding had a very difficult start in life, which involved being abused and put in care. He married when he was 20 and had two children.

The court was told that Harding began suffering hallucinations and made an attempt to kill himself.

In December last year he did see a psychiatrist voluntarily but was only treated for depression.