Hoax 'IRA' caller told police he sent parcel bomb to uni

A hoax caller dialled 999 and claimed he had sent a parcel bomb to Glasgow University.

Lee Steel, 38, from Irvine, Ayrshire, made IRA-supporting comments to a 999 operator during the call.

He also said “’I’m turning myself in” during the phone call on March 14 last year.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Steel admitted wasting police time by making false claims.

Devices were sent to Glasgow University, Waterloo Station and buildings close to Heathrow and London City Airports in March last year.

Counter terrorism police officers said the suspect package found at Glasgow University was linked with the devices discovered around London.

Bomb disposal officers detonated the item which was found in Glasgow University mailroom.

Staff and students were evacuated from buildings and no-one was injured.

The court heard Steel made a bogus call claiming to be responsible for the device to an operator based at Helen Street Police Station in Glasgow at 8.07pm.

Prosecutor Lauren McRobert said: “He stated to police, ‘See that parcel bomb found at Glasgow Uni, I’m turning myself in’.

“He gave his home address before saying ‘Send it’.”

Steel also shouted Irish republican slogans before hanging up the phone. He then refused to answer further calls from the call handler.

Police went to his Irvine home the next day and arrested him.

Miss McRobert added: “He said he had been drinking and didn’t remember making the call. Police rang the number who made the hoax call and his mobile phone rang.”

Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports by Sheriff Martin Jones QC. Steel was released on bail.