A TEENAGER who threw ‘fire bombs’ onto the M3, bringing the motorway to a standstill for more than 11 hours, will be sentenced at a later date following the latest hearing.

Former Winchester College student Nicholas Elger, 17, pleaded guilty in December to two charges of arson recklessly endangering life, with a not guilty pleas to two charges of causing danger to road users accepted by the prosecution.

The incident on the M3 closed the stretch between junctions 9 and 11 for 11 hours on September 23, causing traffic chaos in the region and the local economy losing an estimated £40 million.

He had also previously pleaded guilty to eight counts of burglary against the college – during which computer equipment estimated to be worth more than £37,000 was stolen – and two charges of blackmail with menaces against the school demanding payment of £20,000 in the online currency bitcoin.

Elger, whose interim hospital order was reviewed yesterday, will be sentenced at a later date after an extension to the order was granted by The Recorder of Winchester His Honour Judge Keith Cutler at Winchester Crown Court.

While under the interim hospital order a psychiatric evaluation is being completed on Elger and his case will be reviewed again next month.

Judge Cutler had previously said that he could be facing considerable prison time.