Bristol bomb hoaxer jailed for 20 months

West Country
Monday 24 November 2014 at 5:14pm

Police officer and bomb disposal expert called to Fishponds in May. Credit: ITV News

A 42-year-old man from Bristol, who staged a bomb hoax resulting in hundreds of homes being evacuated in Fishponds, has been jailed for 20 months.

Stewart Jackson, of Hill Close, Emersons Green, doused a BMW parked in Cassell Road with petrol and called police from a phone box claiming the car had an explosive device attached to it.

A 42-year-old man who staged a bomb hoax resulting in hundreds of homes being evacuated in Fishponds has been jailed for 20 months.

Stewart Jackson, of Hill Close, Emersons Green, doused a BMW parked in Cassell Road with petrol and called police from a phone box claiming the car had an explosive device attached to it.

He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court earlier today (24 November) after admitting charges of causing a bomb hoax and criminal damage relating to this incident.

He also admitted charges of harassment, two counts of possessing a bladed article with intent and one public order offence.

The hoax stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Jackson and the car owner’s son.

Jackson had been out for a meal and drinks with two friends in Bristol city centre on Friday 30 May.

During the night he referred to the dispute and said he ‘knew how to make a bomb’.

At about 2.15am, he took a taxi from Broad Street back to Emersons Green via a petrol station, where he enquired about a petrol can, but didn’t buy anything.

CCTV of Stewart Jackson buying a petrol can Credit: Avon & Somerset Police

Jackson then flagged down another taxi near the Blackhorse garage, asking to go to Easton. He asked the driver to stop at the Shell garage in Muller Road, Eastville, where he is seen on CCTV footage buying a petrol can and filling it with fuel.

He then asked to be taken to Staple Hill and was dropped off a short distance from Cassell Road.

At about 3.51am, a man speaking in a French accent made a 999 call to police from a phonebox in City Road. The caller said a car had been doused in petrol and had an explosive device attached to it.

The call prompted a police response and the local area was evacuated, with residents being moved to a nearby pub and school.

You can listen to the 999 call below:

At about 3.51am, a man speaking in a French accent made a 999 call to police from a phonebox in City Road. The caller said a car had been doused in petrol and had an explosive device attached to it.The call prompted a police response and the local area was evacuated, with residents being moved to a nearby pub and school.

Bomb disposal experts called to the scene in Fishponds Credit: ITV News

Jackson staged this bomb hoax as part of an ongoing dispute with another man. He hoped his actions would cause fear and disruption to the victim and his family. Because of the nature of the phonecall and the fact officers found a car covered in petrol, the area was cordoned off causing disruption, anxiety and misery to hundreds of residents who were evacuated from their homes. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit were called and carried out controlled explosions on the car but no traces of explosives were found. Jackson was arrested later the same day but denied he was involved in the bomb hoax. During a search of Cassell Road, a black pouring hose was found lying on top of bushes, which was forensically tested and was found to have Jackson’s DNA on. We also recovered CCTV showing Jackson buying the petrol can and fuel from a petrol station. Jackson admitted the offences due to the overwhelming evidence against him and I’m pleased he has been brought to justice. This incident caused untold misery to hundreds of residents who had their day ruined by his reckless actions. I would like to reiterate our thanks to the local community for all their support, patience and assistance on the day. It was heart-warming to see the community pull together and businesses and residents support each other in such a positive way.