Pipe bomber sent down for 18 years

NADEEM MUHAMMAD

A MAN who attempted to carry an explosive device through Manchester Airport has been jailed for 18 years.

Nadeem Muhammad (43), of Tinline Street, Bury was sentenced yesterday at Manchester Crown Court after being found guilty of possession of explosives with intent to endanger life.

On January 30 Muhammad was planning to travel to Italy when he attempted to pass through security at Manchester airport, with the suspicious item in his hand luggage.

An airport security officer spotted the small device, which contained about 10grams of gunpowder, as it went through the X-ray scanner and Muhammad was stopped and questioned.

It was initially examined by specially-trained airport staff, which on first examination was assessed as unlikely to be viable.

He was then interviewed by officers and had his phone seized for assessment.

Based on the circumstances and information presented at the time, he was not arrested but was stopped from flying that day.

Following further enquiries and forensic examinations of the device by police, several days later, it was determined it was viable and he was arrested.

ACC Russ Jackson, responsible for the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "His account at the time was that he knew nothing about the device, he had never seen it before.

"The device which consisted of three AAA batteries and the shell of a marker pen, when examined in the laboratory, was found to contain just under 10 grams of gunpowder and dressmakers pins.

"As the judge indicated, this could have caused "not inconsiderable damage" to property and injury to people close to the device.

"We cannot be certain what risk this device presented and may never know Muhammad's intentions unless he decides to tell us.

"I want to be clear that we accept there were errors made in the assessment of this item.

"Our debriefs of staff have shown that Muhammad's explanation, his demeanour when stopped, the absence of any concern in background checks and the actual initial assessment of the device, certainly led to the view at the time that this was not a suspicious incident.

"This was wrong and when the true nature of the item became clear, immediate steps were taken to arrest Muhammad and he has been successfully prosecuted and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

"Airport security screening was effective and the device found. I also want to explain that both airport and police have reviewed our security procedures to ensure that proper operating procedures are followed on every occasion where there is a suspicious incident.

"This is an extremely serious incident and whilst the security checks were effective in finding the item, the assessment of the device should have taken place sooner. These lessons have been learned and reviews of operating procedures have already taken place."