Man convicted of attempted murder after explosive device found in Borehamwood
Robert Kovacs has been found guilty after a trial St Albans Crown Court
Last updated 4th Mar 2026
A 38-year-old man has been convicted of attempted murder after a homemade explosive device was discovered beneath a vehicle on a residential driveway in Borehamwood last summer.
Robert Kovacs, of Tenby Road, Edgware, was found guilty on Tuesday (3 March) following a trial at St Albans Crown Court. The jury convicted him of attempted murder, making an explosive substance with intent, and acting with intent to cause an explosion.
Kovacs had denied the charges. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on 5 May.
The Jury heard that on Saturday 16 August 2025, police were alerted to reports of a suspicious item located beneath a car parked outside a property on Cowley Hill in Borehamwood. Officers attended the scene and quickly established a safety cordon.
As a precaution, numerous nearby homes were evacuated while specialist teams from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit assessed the improvised device.
The discovery prompted a detailed and wide-ranging investigation led by detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, with support from specialist and operational teams within Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Caeva Taylor said:
“I am really pleased that, thanks to the dedicated work of our detectives – particularly Detective Sergeant David Taylor and his team – we have been able to get justice for our victim.
“This was a cruel, calculated and extremely serious crime. Kovacs went to great lengths to plan an act that could have had catastrophic consequences for the intended victim and innocent members of the public living nearby.
“I want to thank residents who were evacuated on the day for their patience and understanding during what must have been a very stressful experience. I also want to praise the bravery of the attending officers who ensured the safety of the wider community.”