Man jailed after planting fake bomb outside shop ‘as a joke’ | News

A man has been jailed after planting a fake bomb outside a convenience store as a joke.

CCTV footage shared by Northumbria Police on Thursday (February 26) shows John Maughan, 50, of Lyneburn Cottages, Morpeth, sticking the fake device to a barrier outside a shop in Birtley, Gateshead.

A number of properties had to be evacuated as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene on 17 November 2025. CCTV footage was used to track Maughan several hours after he fled the scene.

In an interview with police following his arrest, the 50-year-old man said he was “just being stupid” and that it was “kind of a joke”.

On Wednesday, February 25, Maughan was sentenced to 16 months in prison for deliberately planting a fake bomb.