A 25-year-old doorman at Wetherspoons has been charged after he planted a fake bomb inside the pub loos so that he could ‘play hero’, a court has heard.
Whilst working as door security at the northern Hat and Feathers pub, Stephen Edward Oliphant when into the bathroom during his shift and left the device inside a cubicle.
He then claimed to others inside the pub that he had found a suspicious device in the boozer’s toilets, leading his manager to enter and find a white box with wire coming out and a mobile phone attached to the front.
After the bouncer had raised the alarm in the pub, its bar and restaurant was evacuated and a specialist Army bomb disposal unit was called to the scene at Seaham, County Durham.
However, upon the team’s arrival, it soon transpired that the ‘bomb’ was in fact a hoax and had been homemade from various paraphernalia, including a bingo dabber.
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Forensic analysis later revealed that the device contained Oliphant’s DNA, which was also found on the various components of the hoax device.
Oliphant claimed to have found the package which he said he picked up to examine, took a photo of it and put it back down.
Further evidence connecting Oliphant to the fake bomb was then found when officers searched the doorman’s home.
After initially denying any involvement with the fake bomb hoax, the bouncer admitted to police that he had in fact planted the device so that he could make himself look like a hero.
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Oliphant pleaded guilty at Durham Crown Court on 12 May to a charge of a bomb hoax and placing an article with intent.
He was then charged with a 12-month sentence on 15 May at a hearing.
Detective Constable Drew Davis, from Durham Constabulary, said: “Any report of a potential bomb is extremely worrying for the public and this job was very resource intensive with several agencies involved alongside ourselves to make sure no one came to any harm.
“Oliphant was reckless in planting this ‘device’ and we hope his sentence sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone engaging in this type of crime will be dealt with robustly.” Featured image – Durham Constabulary/ JD Wetherspoons
Eats
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Georgina Pellant -
17th May 2023 
