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School bomb plot pair not guilty School bomb plot pair not guilty
(10 minutes later)
Two teenagers have been found not guilty of planning a school bombing inspired by the US Columbine massacre.Two teenagers have been found not guilty of planning a school bombing inspired by the US Columbine massacre.
Matthew Swift, 18, and Ross McKnight, 16, were accused of having planned to attack Audenshaw High School in Greater Manchester in April.Matthew Swift, 18, and Ross McKnight, 16, were accused of having planned to attack Audenshaw High School in Greater Manchester in April.
Both denied conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions on the 10th anniversary of the US massacre, claiming the plot was "fantasy".Both denied conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions on the 10th anniversary of the US massacre, claiming the plot was "fantasy".
A jury at Manchester Crown Court took just 45 minutes to clear the pair.A jury at Manchester Crown Court took just 45 minutes to clear the pair.
Copycat attack I would now like to put this behind me Matthew Swift
They were alleged to have become obsessed with Columbine killers Harris and Klebold, who murdered 12 students and a teacher before turning the guns on themselves in Colorado on 20 April 1999.They were alleged to have become obsessed with Columbine killers Harris and Klebold, who murdered 12 students and a teacher before turning the guns on themselves in Colorado on 20 April 1999.
Speaking after their acquittal, Ross McKnight read a statement in which he said he hoped the case had not affected his chances of joining the Army.
"I would like to make it clear that at no time was any person put at risk either at Audenshaw High School or Crown Point North Shopping Centre," he said.
"This was merely a fantasy and not a reality."
Matthew Swift gave his thanks to friends and his legal team who he said had "continued to believe in him".
"I would now like to put this behind me," he added.
'Over-active imaginations'
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) based much of the case on journals and diaries kept by the pair, which were full of rants against society.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) based much of the case on journals and diaries kept by the pair, which were full of rants against society.
I never doubted it. We are all just incredibly relieved Ray McKnight, defendant's father
They also contained details of a plan termed "Project Rainbow", along with maps and plans of the school.They also contained details of a plan termed "Project Rainbow", along with maps and plans of the school.
Both Harris and Klebold had kept similar documents before their attack on 20 April 1999.Both Harris and Klebold had kept similar documents before their attack on 20 April 1999.
Jurors dismissed the plot against Audenshaw High School
But defence lawyers told the jury the journals were the scribblings of teenagers with "over-active imaginations".But defence lawyers told the jury the journals were the scribblings of teenagers with "over-active imaginations".
The defendants both took the stand during their trial and told the jury their thoughts and writing never went beyond the realms of "fantasy".The defendants both took the stand during their trial and told the jury their thoughts and writing never went beyond the realms of "fantasy".
Prosecution defended
Jurors even laughed in court as Mr McKnight's father, Ray, a serving police officer with Greater Manchester Police, told the court his son was full of "hare-brained" schemes.Jurors even laughed in court as Mr McKnight's father, Ray, a serving police officer with Greater Manchester Police, told the court his son was full of "hare-brained" schemes.
Both teenagers were cleared of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property between November 2007 and 15 March 2009.Both teenagers were cleared of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property between November 2007 and 15 March 2009.
Speaking moments after his son's acquittal, Ray McKnight said: "I never doubted it. We are all just incredibly relieved."Speaking moments after his son's acquittal, Ray McKnight said: "I never doubted it. We are all just incredibly relieved."
Jurors dismissed the plot against Audenshaw High School
Mr McKnight, a serving police officer with Greater Manchester Police, refused to comment when asked whether the case should have been brought to court, but said both boys had not coped well with spending six months on remand.Mr McKnight, a serving police officer with Greater Manchester Police, refused to comment when asked whether the case should have been brought to court, but said both boys had not coped well with spending six months on remand.
He said: "It's been purgatory, absolute agony. Neither have been in trouble with the police before and have been in jail for the last six months."He said: "It's been purgatory, absolute agony. Neither have been in trouble with the police before and have been in jail for the last six months."
John Lord, reviewing lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, defended the decision to prosecute the teenagers.John Lord, reviewing lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, defended the decision to prosecute the teenagers.
"The case brought against Matthew Swift and Ross McKnight was, we believe, one that was as equally strong as serious," he said."The case brought against Matthew Swift and Ross McKnight was, we believe, one that was as equally strong as serious," he said.
"As such we felt it was in the public interest to ensure that the charges against the defendants were given the full scrutiny of a jury.""As such we felt it was in the public interest to ensure that the charges against the defendants were given the full scrutiny of a jury."