Escaped prisoner planned to blow up bank, court hears

Alan Murphy planned an attack on an HSBC bank after watching Netflix documentary Dirty Money: Cartel Bank, the court heard

A "dangerous" escaped prisoner found with a nail bomb, two imitation firearms and a knife was planning to blow up a bank after watching a Netflix documentary, a court has heard.

Alan Murphy, 62, planned to set off an explosive device at an HSBC bank in Blackpool after becoming outraged over allegations made in the Dirty Money: Cartel Ban series, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Murphy was caught when police officers did a welfare check in November 2020 as he was living in a campervan in Blackpool and realised he was a wanted man after failing to return to an open prison nine months earlier.

He was sentenced to 15 years at Liverpool Crown Court.

Murphy's defence lawyer said he did not intend to put anyone's life in danger

He had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place, possession of a knife in a public place and having in his possession an explosive substance with intent to cause serious injury to property.

Judge Neil Flewitt KC ruled he was a dangerous offender who the public required protection from.

The court heard Murphy, who had a string of convictions including robbery with a firearm and possessing imitation firearms, had planned the attack on the HSBC bank after watching the documentary which reported alleged connections between the bank and the funding of terrorism and drug cartels.

Judge Flewitt said Murphy was "unlawfully at large" in November 2020, after absconding from prison and gave a false name to police.

However, fingerprints revealed his identity and he was asked whether he had a gun, the court heard.

'Devastating consequences'

Judge Flewitt said: "It was then you told them you had a gun and an improvised explosive device in your rucksack."

A search revealed the explosive, which Joe Allman, prosecuting, described as a nail bomb, as well as a BB gun which had been painted black, a homemade shotgun and a kitchen knife.

The judge said: "At that point, you made the comment to one of the police officers you were going to blow up a bank you had seen on a TV show."

Sentencing Murphy, Judge Flewitt said: "I have no doubt your plan, if carried out, would have put at risk the life of anyone who happened to be in or passing the car park when it exploded."

Richard Littler KC, defending, said Murphy never intended to put anyone's life in danger.

Tom Snape, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Alan Murphy is a dangerous man who planned to carry out a terrifying bomb attack on a bank and its staff.

"It is fortunate officers attended that day and then acted swiftly to prevent Murphy carrying out his plan, which could have had devastating consequences."