A man who planned to blow up a Blackpool bank after watching a Netflix documentary will be behind bars for two decades.
Alan Murphy was visited by police in Bolton Street on 26 November 2020 after reports of a man actring suspiciously.
The 62-year-old had been living in a campervan and following a visit from police the area around his van was put into lockdown.
Giving the false name of Mark Walker police carried out checks to find Murphy had absconded from prison. He was also known for possession firearms.
Searches of a rucksack (seen below with Murphy carrying it), in Murphy's possession, uncovered a sawn-off shotgun.
He told police he also had an 'improvised explosive device' (IED) in the bag and was 'going to use it to blow up a bank' as he had 'seen it on a TV show'.
Murphy said he intended to damage the bank in Blackpool or cars that belonged to bank employees - although he didn't want to hurt anyone.
The CPS said he had become enraged after watching a Netflix documentary which claimed to expose a high street bank for allegedly funding terrorism and drug cartels in Mexico.
The bomb squad were called and made the area safe - with houses evacuated nearby and a cordon put in place.
Murphy was charged with possessing/controlling explosive with intent to endanger life or injure property, two counts of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place and possessing a knife in a public place.
He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to 15 years in custody and a further five years on extended licence after the judge deemed him a dangerous offender.
What police and the CPS had to say
Temporary detective sergeant of West CID, Joe Isaacs, said: Murphy is very clearly a dangerous individual who had armed himself with devices which had the potential to cause significant harm to the public.
“Thanks to the support and information provided from the general public and other emergency services – added to the good inquisitive police work of the officers who attended the scene – Murphy was detained before he could do any significant harm.”
Senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West, Tom Snape, 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.
“I hope this conviction and sentence provides some reassurance that this man has now been brought to justice.
“We will continue to work closely with the police to do all we can to ensure the safety of our communities.”
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