Man jailed for 16 years over ULEZ camera bomb

A 64-year-old man has been jailed for 16 years after blowing up an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) camera with a homemade explosive device. Kevin Rees, from Sidcup, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, October 2, for causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property. The blast, which occurred on December 6, 2023, also caused damage to a car and a child's bedroom window.

Details of the explosion

Prosecuting, Simon Denison KC told the court that Rees placed a homemade explosive, constructed from a metal cylinder filled with black powder and a fuse, next to a ULEZ camera in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup. The explosion occurred at approximately 6.30pm. Although the camera had already been disabled earlier that day, the force of the blast propelled parts of the camera box up to 100 metres away. Shrapnel also damaged the passenger side of a car, and a window frame of a child's bedroom 25 metres away was affected. Residents in nearby houses reported feeling their buildings shake. The court heard that it was 'pure chance' that no one was killed or seriously injured.

Motivation and other offences

Rees was a member of anti-ULEZ Facebook groups and was motivated by the anti-ULEZ cause, Mr Denison stated. When police searched Rees's home on December 18, 2023, they discovered three homemade stun guns. In January, a jury found him guilty of causing the explosion and three offences of possessing a prohibited weapon. He received concurrent three-year sentences for the weapons offences.

Judicial remarks

Judge Anthony Bate remarked that 'tragedy was averted by a matter of luck' and noted a 'terrorist connection' to the offence. He added that there was no evidence Rees had any other reason to oppose the cameras beyond a potential personal grievance related to his car potentially infringing ULEZ charges. Rees will be in his 70s by the time he is first considered for release from prison.

Defence concerns

For the defence, Simon Ray indicated that Rees had been mentally unwell since his conviction and had recently been in a psychiatric unit. Mr Ray expressed concerns about Rees's well-being in prison, stating that he suffers from a severe form of functional neurological disorder and has a 'very real threat and risk of self-harm, and, frankly, suicide'.