CPS News Brief

SOLDIER WHO MADE NAIL BOMB JAILED FOR TWO YEARS

A serving soldier who produced a homemade nail bomb was today [Friday, 28 November] jailed for two years.

Private Ryan McGee, 19, of Eccles, Greater Manchester, was sentenced at the Old Bailey after earlier pleading guilty to making an Improvised Explosive Device and possession of a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook – a 1970s guide to making bombs and illegal drugs.

Ryan McGee was serving with 5^th Battalion The Rifles in Paderborn, Germany, in December 2013 when the nail bomb was discovered in his Salford home by police officers.

He had surfed the internet, bought supplies and watched videos and read books about how to make explosive devices. He was detained by Royal Military Police and later flown back to the UK, where he was charged with terrorism offences.

Mari Reid, of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Ryan McGee constructed the nail bomb at home using parts he had sourced locally.

“This was a crude but viable device that, at the point of explosion, would have sent glass fragments and metal screws flying. Had it been detonated this device had the potential to kill or seriously maim anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby.”

 

Notes to editors:

At a previous hearing at the Old Bailey on 3 October 2014, Ryan McGee pleaded guilty to:

-         Count one: Possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terror, namely The Anarchist Cookbook

-         Count two: Making explosives contrary to the Explosives Substance Act, namely making an Improvised Explosive Device

For count one, Ryan McGee was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. For count two, Ryan McGee was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, set to run concurrently.

John Allen guilty of 33 charges of abuse

Ed Beltrami, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Cymru-Wales, said:

“John Allen is responsible for a shameful catalogue of abuse, carried out over a period of decades and impacting on a large number of victims. 

“He targeted vulnerable young people in the most callous and calculating manner. He used intimidation and violence as weapons and took advantage of his position of power and influence. 

“Thanks to the bravery and persistence of a large number of his victims, he has been made to face up to what he did in a criminal court. 

“We cannot undo the distress and damage caused by Allen to his victims and those close to them, but we hope that they will regard today's convictions as another important milestone in their efforts to come to terms with what happened.

“Finally, I would stress that Operation Pallial is ongoing. It is vital that any public comment on this case does not undermine the work of the investigation and prosecution teams.”

13 men convicted of child sex exploitation offences

Thirteen men have been convicted of child sexual exploitation offences following an investigation in Bristol. 

The men were convicted of 42 offences following two trials at Bristol Crown Court.

Following the first trial held in the spring, six men were convicted of child sexual exploitation offences and they were sentenced to a combined total of more than 70 years’ imprisonment.

The second trial began in October and lasted more than 10 weeks. Following this, seven men were convicted of child sexual exploitation offences. They are due to be sentenced on Friday (28/11).

Howard Phillips, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said:

“These cases have unmasked the horrors of child sexual exploitation and child abusers everywhere should take note of these convictions.  Vulnerable young people were used by these men for their own gratification, convinced that what was happening to them was normal, and controlled through systematic abuse and the promise of drugs and affection.

“The victims in this case have been incredibly brave in coming forward and giving evidence at court.  I hope these results will stand as a testament to their bravery and give other victims the courage to come forward to the police secure in the knowledge they will be listened to. Every victim has a voice and deserves to have that voice heard. 

“Child sexual exploitation has a devastating impact, not only on the victims and their families but the communities in which both the victims and defendants live.

“The CPS takes child sexual exploitation extremely seriously and we have worked closely with the police and other partners from the very beginning in order to bring the strongest possible case to court which has resulted in the conviction of 13 men.”

No action to be taken against individual identified as a suspect in the ongoing murder investigation of Stephen Lawrence

Lionel Idan, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, from CPS said: “On 21st October the CPS decided that no further action will be taken in relation to an individual, identified as a suspect in the ongoing police investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

“A file was received on 31st May 2014 from the Metropolitan Police. After careful consideration it has been decided that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. The decision has been made in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

“Any decision by the CPS does not imply any finding concerning guilt or criminal conduct; the CPS makes decisions only according to the test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors and it is applied in all decisions on whether or not to prosecute.”