Alan Murphy, a 62-year-old escaped prisoner, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison with a five-year extended licence for planning to detonate an explosive device at a local bank. The plot, which was thwarted by Lancashire Police in November 2020, was reportedly inspired by a Netflix documentary.
On November 26, 2020, police officers conducting a routine welfare check discovered a man named Murphy living in a campervan in Blackpool. Initially providing a false name, Murphy’s true identity was revealed through a fingerprint scan, which showed he had been wanted for nine months after absconding from an open prison.
The situation escalated when Murphy informed officers that he possessed a gun and an improvised explosive device (IED) in his bag. This prompted an immediate evacuation of the area and the intervention of a specialist team from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Upon searching Murphy’s belongings, authorities seized an IED, two imitation firearms, fireworks, and a knife. They also found a prewritten note intended for the bank, outlining demands for bank cards and threatening to detonate the IED if not met.
Murphy faced five charges, including possession of explosive substances with intent, possession of imitation firearms, and possession of a knife. He pleaded guilty to four of the five offences, admitting his intention to damage the bank or employees’ vehicles but denying any intent to harm individuals.
In court, Murphy claimed his actions were fueled by anger after watching a Netflix documentary that allegedly exposed a high street bank’s involvement in funding terrorism and drug cartels in Mexico.
Tom Snape, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, described Murphy as “a dangerous man who planned to carry out a terrifying bomb attack on a bank and its staff.” He commended the swift action of the officers, which prevented potentially devastating consequences.
