This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/01/manchester-airport-security-boss-put-seized-pipe-bomb-in-pocket-court-told
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Airport security boss put seized pipe bomb in her pocket, court told | Airport security boss put seized pipe bomb in her pocket, court told |
| (6 months later) | |
| Device found in passenger’s suitcase at Manchester airport was later found to be ‘potentially viable’ explosive | |
| Press Association | |
| Tue 1 Aug 2017 19.03 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 19.09 GMT | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| View more sharing options | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Close | |
| An airport security manager put a pipe bomb into her pocket after it was seized from a passenger’s luggage, a court heard. | An airport security manager put a pipe bomb into her pocket after it was seized from a passenger’s luggage, a court heard. |
| The “crude improvised explosive device” was found in the zip lining of the hand luggage of Nadeem Muhammad, 43, as he went through security at Manchester airport on 30 January. | The “crude improvised explosive device” was found in the zip lining of the hand luggage of Nadeem Muhammad, 43, as he went through security at Manchester airport on 30 January. |
| The security terminal manager, Deborah Jeffery, told his trial at Manchester crown court that she was called over by an officer at the security area of Terminal 3 after the device, made of batteries, masking tape, the tube of a marker pen and wire, was discovered inside Muhammad’s small green suitcase. | The security terminal manager, Deborah Jeffery, told his trial at Manchester crown court that she was called over by an officer at the security area of Terminal 3 after the device, made of batteries, masking tape, the tube of a marker pen and wire, was discovered inside Muhammad’s small green suitcase. |
| She said she was told the item had been swabbed and no trace of explosives found, so she “popped it into” her jacket pocket so “it wouldn’t go missing”. | She said she was told the item had been swabbed and no trace of explosives found, so she “popped it into” her jacket pocket so “it wouldn’t go missing”. |
| Jeffery, who has worked at the airport for 19 years, said she later put it through an X-ray machine but could not see a detonator and did not believe it was viable. | Jeffery, who has worked at the airport for 19 years, said she later put it through an X-ray machine but could not see a detonator and did not believe it was viable. |
| The device was later passed to counter-terrorism police and, when examined by experts, found to be a “potentially viable” bomb containing nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose. | The device was later passed to counter-terrorism police and, when examined by experts, found to be a “potentially viable” bomb containing nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose. |
| Jeffery said she had been shocked to see the object, which was spotted by security officers when Muhammad’s suitcase went through scanners. “There are strange things people carry in their bags but I’d not seen anything like that before.” | Jeffery said she had been shocked to see the object, which was spotted by security officers when Muhammad’s suitcase went through scanners. “There are strange things people carry in their bags but I’d not seen anything like that before.” |
| She said she asked Muhammad how the object got into his case and he said he did not know, and claimed someone else may have put it there. “He was just very calm and just sat, just calm and quiet,” she said. | She said she asked Muhammad how the object got into his case and he said he did not know, and claimed someone else may have put it there. “He was just very calm and just sat, just calm and quiet,” she said. |
| Muhammad, who was attempting to board a Ryanair flight to Italy, was questioned by counter-terrorism police but not arrested. He returned to the airport on 5 February and flew to Italy. | Muhammad, who was attempting to board a Ryanair flight to Italy, was questioned by counter-terrorism police but not arrested. He returned to the airport on 5 February and flew to Italy. |
| It was only when the device was examined by a forensics officer on 8 February that suspicions were raised and the bomb squad called. | It was only when the device was examined by a forensics officer on 8 February that suspicions were raised and the bomb squad called. |
| Muhammad, who was born in Pakistan but had an Italian passport, was arrested when he returned to the UK on 12 February. | Muhammad, who was born in Pakistan but had an Italian passport, was arrested when he returned to the UK on 12 February. |
| Parts of the improvised explosive were shown to the jury on Tuesday. | Parts of the improvised explosive were shown to the jury on Tuesday. |
| The court heard the device could have been detonated if action was taken to connect wires seen protruding from it. | The court heard the device could have been detonated if action was taken to connect wires seen protruding from it. |
| In a report read to the court, Lorna Philp, a forensics expert, said the bomb would have had the potential to cause injury to people and damage to property if detonated. | In a report read to the court, Lorna Philp, a forensics expert, said the bomb would have had the potential to cause injury to people and damage to property if detonated. |
| She said the person who detonated the bomb would have had to be very close to the device to connect the wires, putting themselves at greatest risk of injury. | She said the person who detonated the bomb would have had to be very close to the device to connect the wires, putting themselves at greatest risk of injury. |
| Muhammad, of Bury in Greater Manchester, denies possession of explosives with intent to endanger life or property and an alternative charge of possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances. | Muhammad, of Bury in Greater Manchester, denies possession of explosives with intent to endanger life or property and an alternative charge of possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances. |
| The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning, when the defence case is due to start. | The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning, when the defence case is due to start. |
| UK news | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Reuse this content |