Knaresborough terrorism lockdown was sparked by insurance row, hears court

A HOAXER'S revenge on innocent takeaway staff put armed police on the streets of Knaresborough and the town centre in lockdown for hours, York Crown Court heard.

Shamsul Islam, 23, was angry the staff at Paragon Pizza takeaway had not supported his lies to police over his brother Habibul's car insurance fraud, alleged Paul Newcombe, prosecuting.

So he made two 999 calls to police and one to Crimestoppers and claimed Islamist fundamentalists linked to the 7/7 London bombing were using Paragon Pizza in High Street to build a bomb that would be planted that night.

The jury heard how following the calls which began at 2.46pm on October 16 last year, teams of armed officers were sent to the takeaway, the area around it was sealed off and the public told to stay indoors or in their school.

Police during the terror scare last year

The all-clear wasn't given until 8.15pm, by which time, the takeaway's staff had been taken away by armed police and both them and the shop searched. No bomb equipment or bombers were found.

"The men at the (takeaway) are completely innocent of any crime, as is the establishment. This is just malicious revenge for telling the police Habibul Islam didn't live there," said Mr Newcombe. "It is almost astounding to think he would do this for that reason."

Shamsul Islam wanted to get it closed down, alleged the barrister.

Habibul Islam had falsely claimed to his car insurance company he lived at the takeaway because insurance premiums were cheaper in North Yorkshire than in parts of Leeds, said the barrister.

Police talk to residents during the lockdown

Shamsul Islam, of Leeds, denies making three bomb hoaxes on October 16, but admits perverting the course of justice on October 15. Habibul Islam, 22, of Spencer Place, Leeds, has admitted perverting the course of justice by supporting his brother's account, and car insurance fraud.

The jury have heard the two 999 calls Shamsul Islam allegedly made on October 16.

They have also seen a BBC film of Shamsul Islam pretending to be his brother when he was stopped in his brother's car at 10.10pm on October 15. Police checked his story by ringing the takeaway, where staff told them Habibul Islam worked there but didn't live there.

"It is the root of why these bomb hoaxes calls were made because Paragon Pizza didn't back up the story," said Mr Newcombe.

For 45 minutes, Shamsul Islam had "persistently and shamelessly" continued in his lies despite police confronting him with what the takeaway staff had told them, said the barrister.

The film was made by a BBC crew who were making a documentary about West Yorkshire Police.

The trial continues.