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Man admits restaurant bomb attack Man admits restaurant bomb attack
(40 minutes later)
A Muslim convert has admitted launching a failed suicide nail-bomb attack on an Devon restaurant.A Muslim convert has admitted launching a failed suicide nail-bomb attack on an Devon restaurant.
Nicky Reilly, 22, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to attempted murder at Exeter's Giraffe restaurant on 22 May.Nicky Reilly, 22, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to attempted murder at Exeter's Giraffe restaurant on 22 May.
Reilly, from Plymouth, had been preparing the attack when a bomb went off in his hands in a toilet cubicle.Reilly, from Plymouth, had been preparing the attack when a bomb went off in his hands in a toilet cubicle.
Police believe Reilly, said to have learning difficulties, was "preyed upon and radicalised by others". He will be sentenced on 21 November.Police believe Reilly, said to have learning difficulties, was "preyed upon and radicalised by others". He will be sentenced on 21 November.
Appearing in court via a video link, under the name Mohammad Rashid Saeed-Alim, Reilly pleaded guilty to two of four original charges. The court heard counter-terrorism police were still hunting for two unidentified people who encouraged Reilly after contacting him via an extremist website.
As well as attempted murder, he admitted engaging in preparation for terrorism in that he researched targets and how to make bombs, and prepared three of them in the restaurant.
'Martyrdom ambition''Martyrdom ambition'
The judge, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith, told the court Reilly had been supported by two unidentified people who had contacted him via an extremist website. The judge, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith, said: "There is evidence from materials seized that he became increasingly drawn to violent action in support of fellow Muslims in revenge for perceived persecution, and to the idea of himself personally becoming a martyr.
He said: "There is evidence from materials seized that he became increasingly drawn to violent action in support of fellow Muslims in revenge for perceived persecution, and to the idea of himself personally becoming a martyr.
Reilly's mother Kim was devastated when she found out about the bombing
"He told the police that he had long nursed an ambition to become a martyr.""He told the police that he had long nursed an ambition to become a martyr."
The judge said Reilly had also considered targeting a Plymouth police station and Devonport dockyard. The judge said Reilly, who appeared under the name Mohammad Rashid Saeed-Alim, had also considered targeting a Plymouth police station and Devonport dockyard.
Kerim Fuad, defending, told the judge Reilly had planned to run out of the cubicle with three bombs. Reilly's mother Kim was devastated when she found out about the bombing
Two charges under the Explosives Act were not put to him because prosecutor Stuart Baker told the court they were alternatives to the more serious charges.
Reilly was remanded in custody until sentencing at the Old Bailey.
'Easy target'
Mr Fuad told the judge he wished to present a statement and a psychiatric report to the court.
He said: "There is much I wish to advance on behalf of this defendant's unusual and complex personal background which led to this ugly and dangerous incident."
Reilly suffered eye and facial injuries when one of his bombs, made of caustic soda, paraffin and nails, exploded in his hands.
Bomber who brought fear to DevonNicky was 'easy prey' says mother
CCTV captured him staggering out of the busy family restaurant.
His mother Kim Reilly said he was an "easy target, easy prey" for radicalisation.His mother Kim Reilly said he was an "easy target, easy prey" for radicalisation.
She said he would have had instructions or guidance from someone, as he was vulnerable and had special needs. She said he would have had instructions or guidance from someone, as he was thought to have a mental age of ten and suffered from mental illness.
Detectives believe Reilly was groomed by extremists he met near his home in King Street, Plymouth.Detectives believe Reilly was groomed by extremists he met near his home in King Street, Plymouth.
At the time, Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said: "He was preyed upon, radicalised, and taken advantage of."At the time, Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said: "He was preyed upon, radicalised, and taken advantage of."
Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said Reilly began to research the attack in early 2008, and had bought a suicide vest.Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said Reilly began to research the attack in early 2008, and had bought a suicide vest.
'Encouragement'
During this time he was in frequent touch with two unidentified people, with whom he had discussed his plans and received a "certain amount" of encouragement, the judge said.During this time he was in frequent touch with two unidentified people, with whom he had discussed his plans and received a "certain amount" of encouragement, the judge said.
"There was some debate, which is revealed by comments on the computer, about what sort of person should be targeted in due course, whether public servants such as police officers or other public servants or ordinary citizens," he said."There was some debate, which is revealed by comments on the computer, about what sort of person should be targeted in due course, whether public servants such as police officers or other public servants or ordinary citizens," he said.
"In the end the decision was made to target ordinary citizens in a restaurant.""In the end the decision was made to target ordinary citizens in a restaurant."
The court heard he made the bombs in glass bottles, one using caustic soda and the other kerosene, which he then filled with about 500 nails.
Bomber who brought fear to DevonNicky was 'easy prey' says mother
He travelled to Exeter by bus on the morning of 22 May with six bottles, three of which contained caustic soda, and three kerosene and another chemical contained in drain cleaner, the judge said.
"As he prepared the caustic soda devices in the toilet of the restaurant they began to explode. He was subsequently, as the world knows, arrested and injured himself."
Reilly had planned to run into the restaurant holding three bombs to his stomach, but the first one reacted prematurely and he could not get out, the court heard.
Prosecutor Stuart Baker said: "His recollection now is that he was unable to open the lock of the cubicle door and come out, by which time the first device had already exploded."
Appearing in court via a video link Reilly pleaded guilty to attempted murder and preparing a terrorist attack.
Kerim Fuad, defending, told the judge he wished to present a statement and a psychiatric report to the court.
He said: "There is much I wish to advance on behalf of this defendant's unusual and complex personal background which led to this ugly and dangerous incident."
Reilly's mother wept in the public gallery above the court as she watched her son on a plasma screen.
He was remanded in custody until sentencing at the Old Bailey.