Man and teen plead guilty to parcel 'bomb' fraud

Memocan Topal, 19, of Britannia Road, Ipswich, and the 17-year-old both pleaded guilty during an appearance at Ipswich Magistrates' Court

A man and a teenager have admitted sending a parcel containing “effectively a homemade explosive” as part of a refund scam.

Memocan Topal, 19, of Britannia Road, Ipswich, appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday alongside a 17-year-old co-defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

They both pleaded guilty to being in possession or under the control of an article, namely a parcel, designed to fraudulently obtain a refund on 4 July.

The parcel contained a circuit connected battery pack, which was designed to burn through the package's tracking barcode. The pair thought this would give them grounds to make a refund claim on the false basis the package had been lost in transit.

The court heard the pair had filmed themselves making the device before sending it to a warehouse under the guise of it being a package in a cardboard box.

After arriving on the industrial estate, it was opened by a worker who raised the alarm before police officers were informed on 8 July and able to trace the parcel back to the defendants.

Prosecutor Anna O’Brien said: “It does seem while the device was inside the package it had heated up and singed the interior of the cardboard box.

“The goal as I understand it was the heat would corrupt the barcode to the point where it couldn‘t then be scanned and so would be registered as a parcel lost in transit.

“It is quite lucky the employees noticed this device before ultimately it was able to do what could have been significantly more serious damage.”

At court it was acknowledged the defendants had not intended to endanger or cause any physical or serious harm to anyone with the stunt, but Ms O’Brien said the seriousness of the offence could not be ignored.

“There’s no suggestion the goal was to endanger or harm others,” she added.

“My primary concern is that while it is fortunate no significant risk did result, its risk to employees and property cannot be overstated.

“Had it not been noticed by employees it potentially could have been put on a pile with many other flammable boxes.

“It’s a slightly unique case and the defendants are lucky to not be facing more serious circumstances.”

Topal, who has no previous convictions, has been released on unconditional bail until 10 October, when he must appear at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing.

The 17-year-old is due to appear at a youth court at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Thursday.