Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Rochdale teenager who launched terrifying bomb hoax in 'suicide attempt' sentenced to 14 months

Husnain Masood, 18, said that he believed if he appeared to be a credible threat police would shoot him.

Rochdale teenager who launched terrifying bomb hoax in 'suicide attempt' sentenced to 14 months

A teenager from Rochdale has been sentenced to 14 months detention in a Young Offenders Institute at Minshull Street Crown Court for a bomb hoax and possessing weapons.

Husnain Masood, 18, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a bladed article, possessing an imitation firearm with the intent to cause fear of violence, and launching a bomb hoax.


Earlier, he claimed that the horrifying incident on April 21, 2002, was a 'suicide attempt, not an act of terror’.

Police received a call from a phone box in Rochdale on April 21. The caller revealed he saw a man with a gun placing a bag with wires coming out of it under a bus stop on Dane Street.

Police arrived and confirmed that a bag matching the caller's description was present at the spot. After deciding that a cordon should be put in place, the Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit was contacted.

When one officer was waiting in his car for the explosives specialists to arrive, Masood knocked on the window. The officer glanced up to see Masood dressed entirely in black and wearing a balaclava.

When his colleague noticed Masood holding a knife, he warned the officer. The teen then turned his attention to the officer who had issued the warning and began chasing him, shouting that he would shoot him; other officers came to his aid. They noticed wires coming from his clothing and what appeared to be the butt of a gun in his hand.

Masood was apprehended using a taser and incapacitant spray. He was seen throwing a knife in a nearby grid during the chase, which was later recovered. He was found with a second smaller knife and three notes, one of which stated, 'this is a suicide attempt, not an act of terror.'

The Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit detonated a controlled explosion on the device. It was later discovered to be unfeasible.

Masood said that he had no desire to hurt anyone when questioned. He asserted that he thought armed cops would shoot him if the authorities thought he posed a genuine threat.

He planted the bag under the bus stop, making it obvious by having wires hanging out, and expected armed police to be called. He then called the police himself via the phone box.

He approached the police and said, "Shoot me." Police said that the teenager was apologetic for frightening the officers but had no intention to harm anyone else. Masood hoped a black candle lighter would be considered as a gun.

A police officer said in his victim impact statement: "I was appalled by the incident. This man truly instilled in me a fear of death and catastrophic injury. I was also terrified because I thought I couldn't defend my friends and colleagues."

"Masood's activities caused a significant deal of concern, not to mention the expenditure and time of the police and bomb disposal professionals who could have spent that time more effectively," said Joanna Crook, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.

"When the police met with Masood, he acknowledged his behaviour and apologised for what he had done. The police officers who dealt with incident showed great bravery in the face of a very serious incident.”

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less