Escaped prisoner planned to detonate bomb inside Blackpool bank after watching Netflix series

22 August 2024, 23:32 | Updated: 22 August 2024, 23:33

Alan Murphy
Alan Murphy. Picture: Lancashire Police

By Henry Moore

An escaped prisoner who planned to blow up a Blackpool HSBC bank after watching a Netflix documentary has been jailed for 15 years.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Alan Murphy, 62, who was found with a nail bomb, two imitation firearms and a knife, planned to attack the bank after watching documentary Dirty Money: Cartel Bank.

The documentary suggests alleged connections between the banking chain and the funding of terrorism in Mexico.

Murphy was jailed for 15 years at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday and given an extended license period of five years as Judge Neil Flewitt KC declared him a danger to the public.

Read more: Murder suspect in Bradford fire is ex-partner of woman visiting mum and three children killed in blaze

Judge Flewitt said Murphy was "unlawfully at large" in November 2020, after absconding from prison, and was living in a camper van next to a soup kitchen in Blackpool.

Upon a police visit, it emerged Murphy had given them a false name. He was then questioned if he was in possession of a firearm.

Judge Flewitt said: "It was then you told them you had a gun and an improvised explosive device in your rucksack."

HSBC bank in Covent Garden, London.
HSBC bank in Covent Garden, London. Picture: Alamy

A search revealed the explosive, which Joe Allman, prosecuting, described as a nail bomb, as well as a homemade shotgun and a kitchen knife.

The judge said: "At that point, you made the comment to one of the police officers that you were going to blow up a bank you had seen on a TV show."

Appearing via videolink, Murphy pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place, possession of a knife in a public place and having in his possession an explosive substance with intent to cause serious injury to property.

The court heard he intended his actions to "come to the attention of the media and be widely reported, causing widespread fear, damage to the reputation of HSBC bank and lead to a change in the policy of the bank".

Sentencing him, Judge Flewitt said: "I have no doubt your plan, if carried out, would have put at risk the life of anyone who happened to be in or passing the car park when it exploded."

The documentary that inspired Murphy appeared on Netflix.
The documentary that inspired Murphy appeared on Netflix. Picture: Alamy

Tom Snape, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, 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.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Janice Nix, 66, was charged with manslaughter in connection with death of five-year-old Andrea Bernard in 1978

Woman, 66, appears in court charged with manslaughter of five-year-old who died after scalding bath

Davi Nunes Moreira, of Planalto, Brazil, passed away seven days after injecting a solution made from a crushed butterfly into his leg.

Boy who injected himself with crushed butterfly for 'online challenge' suffered week of agonising symptoms before death

Jack Bennett pleaded guilty to sending malicious communications to the mayor of London and the Birmingham Yardley MP

Man jailed for sending malicious messages to Sir Sadiq Khan and Jess Phillips was 'radicalised online,' Mayor tells LBC

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing of a 20-year-old man in Hackney.

Two men arrested on suspicion of murder after 20-year-old dies in east London stabbing

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist increase chance of 'city killer' asteroid 'the size of Big Ben' striking earth

The scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared on Monday night. The large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village.

Major incident declared after second sinkhole opens up on residential Surrey street

Exclusive
Sadiq Khan

'It's bonkers': Sadiq Khan hits out at Trump for 'rewarding' Putin while excluding Ukraine from peace talks

The mother of Lindsay Foreman, left, who is being detained in Iran for alleged espionage, says the charges are made up.

Mother of Brit detained in Iran during round-the-world motorbike trip says espionage charges are 'made up'

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Trump is living in a ‘disinformation space’, says Zelenskyy as he hits back at US for ‘helping’ Putin 'come out of isolation'

Examples of 'zombie knives' at a secure police location in Birmingham. Underage teenagers buying knives online remains 'a really concerning picture' for police, with illegal dealers selling weapons via social media.

Labour announces crackdown on online knife sellers as weapons 'easier for young people to buy than paracetamol'

Ukraine 'could partner with Europe' if sidelined from negotiations - as Ben Wallace brands Trump remarks 'pure Disney'

Ukraine 'could partner with Europe' if sidelined from negotiations - as Ben Wallace brands Trump remarks 'pure Disney'

Raducanu was seen wiping away her tears

Tearful Emma Raducanu hides behind umpire after being confronted by 'fixated man' who is then dragged away

Pope Francis

Pope Francis fears he 'may not survive' as Pontif battles 'complex' double pneumonia

False killer whales became stranded on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, on a remote beach on near Arthur River in Australia's island state of Tasmania.

Horror as nearly 100 false killer whales set to be euthanised after mass stranding on Australian beach

Charlotte Peet has gone missing in Brazil.

Desperate hunt for missing Brit journalist, 32, who vanished almost two weeks ago in Brazil

Pete Doherty of The Libertines has shared a worrying health update.

Pete Doherty risks having toes amputated in battle with Type 2 Diabetes, rock star tells fans in health update