BOMB HOAXER JAILED
AMAN who planted a fake bomb in a busy shopping centre deliberately chose to do it just two days after the suicide attack in Manchester to attract as much attention as possible, a court has heard.
Richard Punchard put the hoax device under a bench in the middle of Swansea’s Quadrant centre on May 24 this year, at a time of heightened terrorist threat and public concern about security.
He was later tackled by a member of the public who saw him being chased by police officers and took him to the ground.
Punchard, 21, of Ozanam Court, Portmead, Swansea, pleaded guilty to placing an imitation explosive device with intent when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court.
Brian Simpson, prosecuting, said that on the morning of May 24, Punchard made a device – fashioned from a wooden jewellery box, wires from old computer games consoles, and tape – before taking the bus into town.
He then made his way into the Quadrant Shopping Centre and sat on a bench near Debenhams before removing the device from the rucksack he was carrying and placing it under his seat.
Punchard then jogged towards an exit, pausing briefly to see what was happening behind him before making good his escape.
The prosecutor said the package was spotted under the bench minutes later by cleaner Stephen Wilkins, who raised the alarm.
The court heard that since the Manchester attack, armed police had been on patrol in Swansea city centre and, by chance, firearms officers had only just left the Quadrant when the device was spotted.
The court heard they quickly returned and ordered the immediate evacuation of the shopping centre and the lockdown of city centre car parks.
Mr Simpson said while that was being done, CCTV from the Quadrant was checked and a suspect soon identified – a man dressed all in back and wearing a black baseball cap.
The court heard that about an hour after the device was discovered, Pc Jonathan Simpson and PCSO Liam Thomas spotted a man matching the description in Union Street and as they approached him Punchard ran off.
Punchard ran along Oxford Street and into Portland Street with the officers in pursuit before heading for a lane.
It was at this point that Jack Slee, a customer leaving a cafe, saw Punchard being pursued by police and also gave chase, eventually tackling him to the ground before the officers arrived.
Punchard was arrested by police officers in front of hundreds of bewildered shoppers who had evacuated from the building.
The prosecutor said the Quadrant remained closed for three hours following the discovery of the device, but it was impossible to put a value on the disruption to businesses and the lost trade caused by the hoax.
He noted, however, the cost to South Wales Police of the 19 officers and nine PCSOs involved in the operation was some £1,300.
Robin Rouch, for Punchard, said a psychiatrist had concluded his client was not suffering from any psychiatric condition, but was a “disaffected young man” with poor social and coping skills.
He said his client had not been motivated to carry out the hoax by an “affinity” with any group or organisation, or because he sought to derive enjoyment from seeing the chaos it caused, but because he thought his actions would lead him to “getting the attention of medical services” which he thought he needed.
Judge Geraint Walters said he was in no doubt Punchard had deliberately chosen the aftermath of the Manchester bombing to carry out the hoax.
He told the defendant that not only had he caused alarm to the public, he had diverted security resources away from protecting people against real risks, and he sentenced him to 16 months in prison – half of which he will spend in custody.
The judge added that the actions of Quadrant staff, police, and members of the public should be recorded.