An inmate who made hoax bomb threats from his prison cell claiming “I’m from Liverpool ISIS” was warned his sentence could be increased.
Daniel Truelove, 20, threatened to blow up Lime Street station using a phone installed in his cell at HMP Altcourse to try and aid his rehabilitation.
He claimed he was a member of the Islamic terrorist group, responsible for atrocities including the attacks in Paris in November , which left 130 dead.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how the defendant, of no fixed address, made four calls to the Samaritans and Crimestoppers between August 27 and 30 last year.
Katy Appleton, prosecuting, said: “In a call on August 27 at 8.46pm, he said six people were meeting at Liverpool bus station, before praying and going to Liverpool Lime Street at 10pm, wearing tactical vests with explosives that would be immediately detonated. He said one was carrying an Islamic State flag.
“In the second call he said he was part of Liverpool ISIS and at a kiosk at Lime Street station, carrying an Islamic State flag with a suicide vest and a bomb in a backpack.”
In a third call Truelove said there was a bomb threat to the train station at midnight.
Ms Appleton added: “In the fourth call he said he was called Aled Madora and was pressured by threats to behead his family to plant a bomb.”
British Transport Police increased searches of the station and deployed extra officers who were authorised to carry Tasers as a result of the calls.
Truelove was arrested after they were traced to his cell, in which he was spending 23 hours a day.
He had been sharing it with Clayton Williams, 18, who is accused of the murder of Merseyside Police officer PC David Phillips.
There is no suggestion that Williams, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey , was behind the calls.
Truelove, appearing via video link from the G4S privately-run prison in Fazakerley , pleaded guilty to communicating a bomb hoax.
He admitted making the calls as a prank and said he thought they would be anonymous.
Liverpool’s Lime Street Station.
Ms Appleton said: “He said he had not intended to cause disruption and did not think his calls would be forwarded to the police.
“He apologised for his actions, particularly to the Samaritans, and said Clayton Williams had no involvement in the calls.”
Gary Brian, defending, said his client, who is serving a 30-month sentence, suffers from bipolar disorder.
Recorder John Gibson adjourned the case until February 15 so a pre-sentence report could be made.
The judge said this should not be taken as any indication of sentence, adding: “All sentences, including an immediate custodial sentence, will be considered by the court”.
HMP Altcourse previously told the ECHO the phones were installed in cells as part of a project to help rehabilitation by “strengthening support networks outside the prison”.
Dave Thompson, director of HMP Altcourse, said: “In line with many prisons across the country HMP Altcourse is moving to install telephones into prisoners’ cells as evidence suggests it supports the rehabilitation and resettlement on their release.
“Prisoners can only dial approved numbers such as members of their family and we routinely monitor and record calls to ensure telephones are being used appropriately.
“Prisoners who abuse this opportunity to remain in contact with their families can expect to face sanction and as this case shows, further action through the courts.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/