A Portuguese chef planned to bomb Gatwick following a bitter row over a failed £1 million compensation claim, a court heard today.

Jose Pestana, 41, from the island of Madeira, threatened to use a home-made bomb to kill the manager of Garfunkels restaurant, Lewes Crown Court heard.

He was angry that he had been refused his claim of £1 million in compensation for an injury to his right hand suffered while working at the West Sussex airport in December 1995.

He received £22,500 and was later sacked.

Police who raided his flat five miles from Gatwick in Langley Parade, Langley Green, Crawley, in March this year found an improvised explosive device, or IED, hidden under Pestana's sofa bed.

An expert found that two paper tubes full of firework powder had been strapped to two butane gas cylinders and a fuse, capable of causing a grenade-like explosion.

Pestana denies two charges relating to the possession of an explosive substance.

The more serious count alleges Pestana had the bomb with intent to endanger life. He was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Walton Hornsby, prosecuting, said: "Mr Pestana was paid a total of £22,500.

"It was clear it was a gross disappointment to him. He felt very let down by his employer.

"Mr Pestana made a number of threats that he would, in particular, plant a bomb at Garfunkels and kill the manager and the people who might be there, and that the police would blame Garfunkels."

The case continues.