Two On Trial - Two Convicted

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• Two On Trial - Two Convicted

14 July 2017 | Updated 01 January 1970

Back garden chemist jailed

A man who sold controlled chemicals from a back garden laboratory has been sent to prison.

On 30 June at Hull Crown Court, 55-year-old Gert Meyers of Bridlington was sentenced to 8 months in prison, after previously pleading guilty to possession of regulated substances without a licence in March.

The charges relate to the unlawful possession of chemicals associated to a company called ‘Oxford Chem Serve’ that was run by Meyers. He was contacted about these substances by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit (NECTU) in November 2014 and advised that the substances he possessed would require a licence.

Despite being contacted on numerous occasions after this initial contact he refused to engage with authorities. Enquiries into the business and Meyers highlighted that he didn’t show any consideration who he sold chemicals to, something that was concerning to the authorities.

NECTU’s investigation indicated Meyers was no longer selling chemicals online but he still possessed the substances and was committing an offence under The Poisons Act 1972. The investigation was then taken on by Humberside Police. Meyers was arrested and a number of chemicals recovered from his garden shed.

As the danger that the substances posed, a large number of people were involved including police officers and staff, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service specialist staff, Yorkshire Ambulance, Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, the local council and specialist scientists from the Home Office.

As a result of the risk posed by the chemicals a 200 meter cordon was put in place which led to large numbers of local residents and businesses being evacuated so that controlled explosions could be carried out.

Man jailed for deliberate gas explosion

A man has been jailed after deliberately instigating a gas explosion at his home in Blackley.

On Friday July 7, Kevin Carroll was sentenced to two years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to criminal damage with intent to endanger life at a previous hearing.

Shortly after 12.25pm on Monday 16 January 2017, police were called to reports of an explosion on Cecil Road. Earlier that day, Carroll told his housemates he was staying home from work as he was sick. When one of them later returned he failed to answer the door.

The 29-year-old man waited outside by the locked door, unaware that inside Carroll was severing and igniting a gas mains pipe. He then heard an extremely loud swooshing sound and was knocked to the ground before the front door and parts of the frame landed on top of him.

He managed to push away the debris and crawl into the middle of the road, where neighbours rushed to his aid after fleeing from the surrounding houses.

Carroll’s home was left almost demolished and the house next door was also badly damaged, with windows of other premises having been blown out by the blast.

The 29-year-old was taken to hospital with burns to his face, mouth and throat but he made a good recovery and was discharged within three days.

Carroll was also taken to hospital where he was treated for severe burns. He was arrested and after a period in hospital was subsequently charged.

Detective Inspector Dave Sinclair, of GMP’s City of Manchester Team, said: “This incident left a wave of devastation in its wake, with an innocent man hospitalised, a street destroyed and members of the community anxious and homeless."

Picture: Main - Gert Meyers' illicit chemical lab. Below - gas man Kevin Carroll

Two men from east London have been charged following their arrests on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Both men were arrested in Essex on Friday, 30 June by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. They were charged on Thursday, July 13:

Mohammed Kamal Hussain, 28 was charged with support for a proscribed organisation under section 12 Terrorism Act 2000; two counts of encouragement of terrorism; and acts in preparation of terrorism.

Mohammed Ashfaqur Hemel, 31 was charged under with encouragement of terrorism.

They will appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, July 14.

Article written by Robin Snow | Published 14 July 2017

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