Man convicted of terrorism offences after 2013 hoax packages

A Suffolk man has been convicted of 21 terrorism offences after sending hoax packages to businesses, primary schools and shopping centres back in 2013, following an investigation by Eastern Region Special Operations Unit's (ERSOU) Counter Terrorism Policing unit.

At Woolwich Crown Court, Gary Preston from Haverhill admitted to all 21 charges relating to the packages which were sent between September and October 2013.

The letters contained an undisclosed white powder and were sent to educational facilities, airports, shopping centres and local authorities. Some also contained warning notes telling the opener to run or hold their breath. The material was later established to be talcum powder.

Preston was not identified as the sender until he was arrested in July 2020 for a separate offence and his DNA was linked to the packages. His fingerprints were also a match.

He was arrested in September 2020 and was charged with 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).

Hannah Wilkinson, head of ERSOU CTP, said: “Preston was intent on causing significant distress and concern among those who received these packages, and to target places such as schools really shows the extent of his warped mindset.
 
“Despite the offences taking place some time ago, our detectives continued to revisit the investigation and as soon as new evidence became available, we were able to step up our enquiries once more.
 
“I’m delighted the weight of evidence brought together by our investigators left Preston with little option but to plead guilty.”