Man jailed for 37 years for attempted bomb attack on Leeds St James's Hospital

A man has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 37 years, after being convicted of preparing for an act of terrorism in West and North Yorkshire.

Mohammed Farooq, 29, was found in the grounds of St James’s Hospital in the early hours of Friday, January 20, 2023, in possession of an improvised bomb, knives and an imitation firearm.

The Clinical Support Worker from Leeds was discovered by Nathan Newby, an inpatient at St James’s.

He engaged with Farooq, who was clearly agitated and very open about his plans to detonate a bomb at the hospital.

Despite being on the premises for some time he appeared conflicted and had not yet acted on his intentions.

Mr Newby had been in the grounds by chance and was able to calm Farooq before calling 999 to seek the help of West Yorkshire Police.

The investigation that followed showed Farooq had radicalised himself online.

Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North East discovered he was self-motivated and heavily inspired by Daesh propaganda.

Farooq had procured weapons and successfully manufactured a viable explosive device in readiness for an attack.

Farooq had identified two potential targets for an attack. RAF Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire and St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

He had conducted reconnaissance at the RAF base on three separate occasions, before shifting his focus to St James’s to pursue a long-standing grievance against staff at the hospital.

Prior to the trial last year which lasted three weeks, he had already pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, firearms offences, and the possession of terrorist material.

He faced sentencing today at Sheffield Crown Court.

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