Leeds Hospital Bomb Plotter Sentenced to 37 Years for Terrorist Activities
Mohammad Farooq, who planned to detonate a bomb at St James's Hospital, receives life sentence after thwarted attack.
Mohammad Farooq, a 29-year-old clinical support worker from Leeds, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 37 years for his involvement in a plot to detonate a bomb at St James's Hospital.
The court heard that he had constructed a viable pressure cooker bomb and had intentions to cause mass casualties, specifically aiming to 'kill as many nurses as possible.' In addition to the hospital plot, Farooq had also planned a terrorist attack on RAF Menwith Hill, a classified surveillance base in North Yorkshire.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb highlighted the significance of a hospital patient's intervention in preventing the potential detonation of the bomb.
Nathan Newby, who was present at the hospital on January 20, 2023, engaged Farooq in conversation and ultimately persuaded him to abandon his plan and contact the authorities.
The judge characterized Newby as 'an extraordinary, ordinary man' whose actions likely saved many lives.
Farooq was described during the trial as 'a self-radicalised lone wolf terrorist.' His homemade device was reported to be modeled after the bombs used in the 2013 Boston Marathon attack, containing approximately 10 kg of explosives—double the amount used in the Boston incident.
The court proceedings lasted three weeks, during which a jury was presented with evidence of Farooq's extremist motivations, which stemmed from his interest in radical Islam and jihad.
Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC revealed that Farooq had expressed grievances towards his colleagues and discussed his bomb plan with Newby while outside the hospital.
Despite the prosecution’s case emphasizing Farooq's ideological motivations, his defense argued that his actions were driven by personal grievances rather than extremist beliefs.
Following the sentencing, Phil Wood, the chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, commended Newby’s calmness and decisiveness during a critical situation, noting the emotional trauma experienced by staff and patients on that day.
The Crown Prosecution Service's counter-terrorism division head, Bethan David, stated that an examination of Farooq's digital devices revealed a deep-seated animosity towards his coworkers and non-believers, underscoring the threat posed by his extremist views.
Farooq was convicted on charges including firearms offenses, possessing an explosive substance with intent, and possessing a document likely useful in committing an act of terrorism.
He denied charges related to preparing acts of terrorism, but was found guilty by the jury.
The court heard that he had constructed a viable pressure cooker bomb and had intentions to cause mass casualties, specifically aiming to 'kill as many nurses as possible.' In addition to the hospital plot, Farooq had also planned a terrorist attack on RAF Menwith Hill, a classified surveillance base in North Yorkshire.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb highlighted the significance of a hospital patient's intervention in preventing the potential detonation of the bomb.
Nathan Newby, who was present at the hospital on January 20, 2023, engaged Farooq in conversation and ultimately persuaded him to abandon his plan and contact the authorities.
The judge characterized Newby as 'an extraordinary, ordinary man' whose actions likely saved many lives.
Farooq was described during the trial as 'a self-radicalised lone wolf terrorist.' His homemade device was reported to be modeled after the bombs used in the 2013 Boston Marathon attack, containing approximately 10 kg of explosives—double the amount used in the Boston incident.
The court proceedings lasted three weeks, during which a jury was presented with evidence of Farooq's extremist motivations, which stemmed from his interest in radical Islam and jihad.
Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC revealed that Farooq had expressed grievances towards his colleagues and discussed his bomb plan with Newby while outside the hospital.
Despite the prosecution’s case emphasizing Farooq's ideological motivations, his defense argued that his actions were driven by personal grievances rather than extremist beliefs.
Following the sentencing, Phil Wood, the chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, commended Newby’s calmness and decisiveness during a critical situation, noting the emotional trauma experienced by staff and patients on that day.
The Crown Prosecution Service's counter-terrorism division head, Bethan David, stated that an examination of Farooq's digital devices revealed a deep-seated animosity towards his coworkers and non-believers, underscoring the threat posed by his extremist views.
Farooq was convicted on charges including firearms offenses, possessing an explosive substance with intent, and possessing a document likely useful in committing an act of terrorism.
He denied charges related to preparing acts of terrorism, but was found guilty by the jury.
