Man jailed after sending packages containing white powder

A man from Haverhill in Suffolk has been jailed for terrorism offences, after it was found he sent hoax packages containing white powder and letters to primary schools, shopping centres and businesses, telling recipients to ‘run’.

Gary Preston was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison after previously admitting 21 charges relating to packages sent between September and October 2013.

An investigation led by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) found that he had targeted educational facilities, airports, shopping centres and local authorities.

He sent letters containing a white powder, some of them also included warning notes, telling the reader to run or hold their breath. The substance was later revealed to be talcum powder.

Police struggled to identify the sender until his DNA was matched to some of the packages following his arrest for a separate offence in July 2020. His fingerprints also matched some on another package.

in August 2023 he was convicted of 21 counts of sending a substance and note with the intention of inducing a belief that it is likely to be noxious, contrary to section 114 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (2000).

He was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court for the terrorism offences, as well as an indecent assault at knifepoint against a woman in Rainham, Essex, in 1988.

Head of ERSOU’s Counter Terrorism Policing unit, Hannah Wilkinson said: “By targeting places such as primary schools and airports, there’s no doubt that Preston had set out to cause as much distress and worry as he could.

“It is also clear that, by sending these packages to more than 20 organisations across the country, he had spent significant time planning and attempting to cover his tracks.

“ERSOU’s detectives continued to track the investigation and as soon as new evidence became available, our teams were able to step up enquiries once more.

“It’s a positive outcome that Preston will now spend a significant spell behind bars.”

Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, Nick Price said: “The actions of Gary Preston caused severe disruption, concern and fear at a wide range of public establishments given the suspicious nature of his actions.

“Following a cold case review, his DNA was then linked to an indecent assault at knifepoint from 1988.

“I hope this conviction and sentence provides some reassurance that this man has now been brought to justice.”