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Nail-bomber given life sentence Nail-bomber given life sentence
(9 minutes later)
A Muslim convert has been jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 18 years after launching a failed suicide bomb attack on a restaurant in Devon.A Muslim convert has been jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 18 years after launching a failed suicide bomb attack on a restaurant in Devon.
Nicky Reilly, 22, was the only person injured when he accidentally set off his home-made nail-bomb in a toilet of Exeter's Giraffe restaurant last May.Nicky Reilly, 22, was the only person injured when he accidentally set off his home-made nail-bomb in a toilet of Exeter's Giraffe restaurant last May.
He later admitted attempted murder and preparing an act of terrorism.He later admitted attempted murder and preparing an act of terrorism.
Police believe the Plymouth man, who has learning difficulties, was "preyed upon and radicalised" by others.Police believe the Plymouth man, who has learning difficulties, was "preyed upon and radicalised" by others.
Sentencing him at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said it was "sheer luck or chance that [the bombing] did not succeed in its objectives".Sentencing him at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said it was "sheer luck or chance that [the bombing] did not succeed in its objectives".
"The offence of attempted murder is aggravated by the fact that it was long-planned, that it had multiple intended victims and was intended to terrorise the population of this country," he added."The offence of attempted murder is aggravated by the fact that it was long-planned, that it had multiple intended victims and was intended to terrorise the population of this country," he added.
Reilly had admitted the charges last October, but sentencing was delayed to allow doctors to assess his mental state.Reilly had admitted the charges last October, but sentencing was delayed to allow doctors to assess his mental state.
He has learning difficulties and Asperger's syndrome, and is thought to have a mental age of 10.He has learning difficulties and Asperger's syndrome, and is thought to have a mental age of 10.
But while accepting the attack was "unsophisticated", the judge said: "There is no dispute but that this defendant currently represents a significant risk of serious harm to the public."But while accepting the attack was "unsophisticated", the judge said: "There is no dispute but that this defendant currently represents a significant risk of serious harm to the public."
Devon and Cornwall Police said Reilly had been "preyed on, radicalised and taken advantage of".Devon and Cornwall Police said Reilly had been "preyed on, radicalised and taken advantage of".
Officers have travelled to Pakistan in their search for two unidentified people who encouraged Reilly after contacting him via an extremist website.Officers have travelled to Pakistan in their search for two unidentified people who encouraged Reilly after contacting him via an extremist website.
Suicide noteSuicide note
Before sentencing on Friday, Reilly's mother Kim told BBC News that her son was "very sorry and very remorseful".Before sentencing on Friday, Reilly's mother Kim told BBC News that her son was "very sorry and very remorseful".
"He's sorry to the people of Exeter and those in the cafe that day.""He's sorry to the people of Exeter and those in the cafe that day."
Prior to his failed suicide bombing, Reilly left a note saying: "I have not been brainwashed or indoctrinated. I am not insane."Prior to his failed suicide bombing, Reilly left a note saying: "I have not been brainwashed or indoctrinated. I am not insane."
Reilly's mother Kim speaking about her son in October 2008
Reilly claimed he was simply doing "what God wants from his mujahideen".Reilly claimed he was simply doing "what God wants from his mujahideen".
"Everywhere Muslims are suffering at the hands of Britain, Israel and America. We are sick of taking all the brutality from you," he wrote."Everywhere Muslims are suffering at the hands of Britain, Israel and America. We are sick of taking all the brutality from you," he wrote.
The note attacked drunkenness and sexual immorality as "unacceptable to Allah and the true religion Islam".The note attacked drunkenness and sexual immorality as "unacceptable to Allah and the true religion Islam".
Reilly had been preparing to detonate the bombs, based in three glass bottles and containing about 500 nails, caustic soda and kerosene, when one exploded in his hands.Reilly had been preparing to detonate the bombs, based in three glass bottles and containing about 500 nails, caustic soda and kerosene, when one exploded in his hands.
Dozens of customers and staff fled the restaurant in panic, but no-one else was injured.Dozens of customers and staff fled the restaurant in panic, but no-one else was injured.
Defence barrister Kerim Fuad described his client as the least sophisticated person to have been charged with terrorism.Defence barrister Kerim Fuad described his client as the least sophisticated person to have been charged with terrorism.
Reilly had converted to Islam between 2002 and 2003, later changing his name to Mohammad Rashid Saeed Alim.Reilly had converted to Islam between 2002 and 2003, later changing his name to Mohammad Rashid Saeed Alim.