Tube 'bomb' suspect is 'mummy's boy' student
A UNIVERSITY student held by police for allegedly planting a “bomb” on a London Tube train was just three weeks into his new course.
Damon Smith was held by police for allegedly planting a 'bomb' on a London Tube train
Damon Smith, 19, was Tasered and arrested near a London Metropolitan University campus in north London last Friday.
He is believed to be an IT student at the university and had moved to London from Devon in August.
A screengab from a Youtube video where Damon Smith says he is going to fire his gun
It’s shocking
Smith has been described by friends as a loner with learning difficulties and a “mummy’s boy” who liked playing poker.
A device containing wires and a clock was found on a train at North Greenwich station the day before his arrest and a controlled explosion was carried out.
On Saturday a second device was discovered at an address in Newton Abbot, Devon, where Smith had lived with his mother Antonitza.
Damon Smith's home in London, to which he moved from Devon in August
Properties were evacuated but the object was found to be non-viable. The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers continue to encourage the public to remain vigilant and alert at all times and report anything suspicious to police.
"The public will see more officers, including armed police, in and around transport hubs to provide reassurance around public safety.”
The teenager’s grandfather Stephen Smith, who lives in Horsham, Sussex, said of his arrest yesterday: “It’s shocking.”
Smith is being questioned on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorism acts under the Terrorism Act 2000. Police have until Friday to charge or release him. Officers are not looking for anyone else at this stage and are keeping an open mind regarding the motive.
A device containing wires and a clock was found on a train at North Greenwich station
A London Metropolitan University spokesman said yesterday: “We can confirm Damon Smith joined our university as a new student three weeks ago.
We won’t be making any further comment at this time.”
A 25-year-old man has been arrested and bailed over a chemical incident that led to the evacuation of London City Airport on Friday, causing travel chaos.
The suspect, from east London, is accused of “using a noxious substance to cause serious damage”.
Dozens of passengers suffered breathing difficulties and two people were taken to hospital