Hoax calls made after Tipton terror blast

Defendant John Williamson said the petrol bombs had been placed in the Queens Head, in Londonderry Lane, Oldbury, and told a 999 operator that the emergency services had to get to the venue as they would go off within seven minutes, Sandwell Magistrates Court yesterday heard.

Mr Kuli Khaira, prosecuting, told the magistrates the phone two calls were made at 2.38am and 2.42am in the early hours of Saturday, around 13 hours after the bomb explosion at the Kanz-ul-Iman Muslim Welfare Association Central Jamia Mosque in Binfield Street.

Mr Khaira said: "The first call made reference to the mosque where the bomb had exploded earlier. He said the offenders from that offence were in the Queens Head."

Initially Williamson said it was two petrol bombs but later changed his story saying it was two nail bombs that had been planted.

Mr Khaira said: "He told the operator 'get people to the pub now because something is going off in seven minutes.'"

He said the mobile phone used by Williamson, aged 31, of Queens Road, Oldbury, was not registered under his name, but police were able to track him down via taxi firms which recognised the number from bookings.

Mr Andrew Chowdhury, defending, said his client had been extremely drunk and could not remember making the calls. He said officers found nothing untoward at the pub.

He said he had received some bad news that his sister had a heart problem.

"He broke down and cried about it when he admitted it to officers," said Mr Chowdhury.

He added: "He realises what he has done could have or did cause a lot of problems for the emergency services."

District judge Michael Wheeler committed the case to crown court yesterday saying his sentencing powers were insufficient.

Williamson pleaded guilty to an offence of ringing police to make a false claim.

The matter was adjourned until August 12.