Cambridge: Bomb Scare Man Sentenced

27 April 2012, 12:22 | Updated: 27 April 2012, 14:28

A man who planted a hoax bomb inside a Cambridge office has avoided an immediate jail term.

27 year old Robert Baker, from Toyse Lane in Burwell, admitted planting the device [pictured - right] inside a microwave in a communal kitchen in Wellington House in East Road on the 26th September last year.

It was made out of a drinks bottle, copper piping and coins.

Another worker discovered the device and raised the alarm.

The building, and others nearby, was evacuated while RAF bomb disposal experts made the device safe.

Eyewitnesses spotted Baker in the building and according to Cambridgeshire Police was said to be 'acting strangely'.

He was also seen hanging around outside the Police cordon following the investigation.

Baker was then arrested at his home.

When officers searched his property, police found several items that had been used to construct the device.

Baker's fingerprints were also found on some tape on the device.

After pleading guilty to place an article with intent to cause a bomb hoax, Baker was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court today (Friday).

He was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He must also co-operate with a medical treatment order during that time.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Mead said: "It is still not clear why Baker decided to make this device and then place it in the communal kitchen at his workplace. 

There has been speculation as to his mental health at the time of this incident and another line of enquiry was whether this was the action of a disgruntled employee. 

Ultimately it is only Robert Baker who knows the real reason that he placed the device and what his intentions were.

His actions caused a huge amount of disruption and inconvenience for local businesses, students and staff at Anglia Ruskin University and the public at large who use the normally very busy East Road on a daily basis, not to mention a cost of around £10,000 to the taxpayer for police and RAF involvement.

This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone who commits such offences faces being taken to court."