Hayling Man Jailed for Bomb Hoax
- Fri 8th Jul 2005
A man has been jailed for six months for making "stupid and reckless" hoax bomb calls that resulted in the closure of one of the UK's busiest ports.
Ian Tebbutt, 59, of Fathoms Reach, Hayling Island, pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court to the charge of making a hoax bomb call.
Tebbutt made two calls which prompted police to close the harbour, railway station and bus station in Portsmouth.
A police spokesman said the massive operation had cost about £80,000.
You caused enormous disruption
Giovanni MoscaSentencing the electrical engineer, chairman of the bench, Giovanni Mosca, said: "What you did was stupid, it was an utterly reckless action on a day when so many people were fearful for their lives.
"Drink was no excuse. You caused enormous disruption, you caused resources to be diverted elsewhere. These are exceptional circumstances."
The first phone call was made by Tebbutt on a mobile phone just two hours after the bus blast in Tavistock Square.
He told police that Portsmouth would be bombed before hanging up, the court heard.
The police then called him back twice and during these calls he gave his name and address.
But then at 1217 BST on Thursday, he called police again and said: "I wish to assassinate the Queen. I wish to destroy London and the next target will be Portsmouth."
Following the conviction Assistance Chief Constable Steve Watts said: "This swift, decisive action by police and the Crown Prosecution Service to arrest, charge and sentence someone cynical enough to make a hoax bomb threat following yesterday's incidents in London demonstrates how seriously the authorities take such activities.
"This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and anyone making such phone calls will be robustly dealt with."
By forum user, Mat
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