Restaurant blast suspect named - News in brief - Evening Standard
       

Restaurant blast suspect named

A man arrested in connection with a city centre explosion has been named by police as 22-year-old Nicky Reilly - who police believe had adopted the Islamic faith.

Reilly was arrested by police at the scene of the explosion in the Giraffe restaurant in the £230 million Princesshay shopping complex in Exeter, Devon.

He suffered lacerations to his eye and some facial burning after a device he had on him partially exploded. Another device found in the vicinity of the restaurant did not explode.

Deputy chief constable Tony Melville, speaking just yards from the restaurant, said: "Witnesses described how a male entered a toilet in the restaurant shortly before an explosion was heard."

He said police and other emergency services went to the scene and the man was arrested in connection with the explosion.

Mr Melville said: "This male, who we now know is called Nicky Reilly, suffered serious facial injuries but these are not life threatening. He is currently in police custody undergoing treatment at a hospital."

Bomb disposal experts made safe two explosive devices which are now being forensically examined, said Mr Melville.

"After the arrest, police searched an address in King Street, Plymouth, linked to Reilly using armed officers from the tactical aid group."

He added: "Our investigations so far indicate Reilly, who has a history of mental illness, had adopted the Islamic faith. We believe, despite his weak and vulnerable state, he was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of."

Mr Melville said the police knew Reilly travelled between Plymouth and Exeter using the bus service.

News in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet