Muslim convert in failed bomb plot dies in cell

A MUSLIM convert who was jailed for life after blowing himself up in a restaurant in a failed suicide attack has died in prison.

Nicky Reilly, 30, was found dead in custody at HMP Manchester, a Prison Service spokeswoman said.

In May 2008 he accidentally set off a home-made nail bomb in a toilet cubicle as he prepared to target dozens of innocent customers.

Reilly, described as the “least cunning person ever to have been charged with terrorism”, injured only himself in the blast inside the Giraffe restaurant in Exeter.

Reilly, of Plymouth, Devon, suffered from Asperger’s syndrome and had learning difficulties. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder and preparing an act of terrorism and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years in 2009.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “HMP Manchester prisoner Mohamed Saeed-Alim died in custody on Wednesday October 19.

“As with all deaths in custody there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”

Reilly decided to carry out his attack on the restaurant after being encouraged by others on the internet.

He had intended to run out into the packed dining area holding three bottles, filled with caustic soda, kerosene, and nails, to his stomach.

But he got stuck in the toilet as he prepared the blast, leaving one of the bottles to go off before he could leave the cubicle.

The explosion sent dozens of restaurant customers fleeing in panic and the bomber staggered out suffering serious facial injuries.

Reilly had converted to Islam between 2002 and 2003 and was soon telling others about his interest in jihad.

In 2004 he changed his name to Mohamed Rashid Saeed-Alim, and began to download videos on bomb-making and martyrdom from YouTube.

He also received encouragement in an internet chatroom from two people with Arabic names, and he described himself as “Ali the Brit”.

Reilly was intent on becoming a martyr by killing himself and others and wrote: “That is my dream.”