Overview
- Newcastle Crown Court sentenced John Maughan after he admitted placing an imitation explosive with intent to make others believe it could detonate.
- The device, found outside the Nisa on Durham Road on November 17, 2025, prompted a 100‑metre cordon, resident evacuations and a controlled explosion by bomb disposal officers.
- Specialists confirmed the item was not viable, yet police and an EOD team were deployed to secure the area and assess the risk.
- Officers identified Maughan from CCTV and tracked his van to Newcastle, arresting him within hours and recovering tape matching that used on the hoax item.
- Maughan told police it was a 'stupid joke' and the shop reported losing about £2,000 during the closure, as investigators condemned the panic and resource waste caused.