Irvine man pleads guilty to hoax 999 call claiming he sent bomb to Glasgow University

An Irvine man has admitted claiming he sent a parcel bomb through the post to Glasgow University during a hoax 999 call.

Lee Steel told the operator “Up the Ra” and “Tiocfaidh ar la” which means Our day will come", and claimed he was turning himself in during the call on March 14th last year.

The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to wasting police time by making false claims at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Devices were sent to Glasgow University, Waterloo Station and buildings close to Heathrow and London City Airports in March last year.

Counter terrorism police officers said the suspect package found at Glasgow University is linked with the devices discovered around London.

Bomb disposal officers detonated the item which was found in Glasgow University mailroom. Staff and students were evacuated from buildings and no-one was injured.

The court heard Steel made the the bogus call claiming to be responsible for the device to an operator based at Helen Street Police Station in Glasgow at 8.07pm.

Prosecutor Lauren McRobert said: “He stated to police ‘See that parcel bomb found at Glasgow Uni, I’m turning myself in.’

“He gave his home address before saying ‘Send it’.”

Steel also shouted Irish republican slogans before hanging up the phone. He then refused to answer further calls from the call handler.

Police went to his Irvine home the next day and arrested him.

Miss McRobert added: “He said he had been drinking and didn’t remember making the call.

“Police rang the number who made the hoax call and his mobile phone rang.”

Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports by Sheriff Martin Jones QC.

Steel was bailed meantime.

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