EXETER PERVERT CHRISTOPHER REED SENT NAIL BOMB IN REVENGE AT PLYMOUTH PROBATION OFFICE
In November 1996, a disturbing act of violence unfolded when Christopher Reed, a known sex offender from Exeter, attempted to carry out a deadly revenge attack against a probation officer.Reed, who was 32 years old at the time, devised a homemade explosive device and sent it to the Plymouth probation office, where staff had been involved in monitoring his case.
The device was rudimentary yet dangerous—a shoebox filled with gunpowder, nails, and staples—designed with the intent to cause serious injury or death.
Fortunately, the staff at the Plymouth office detected the threat in time, thanks to the vigilance of a keen-eyed employee who noticed the suspicious package and promptly alerted law enforcement authorities.
During a court hearing at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that Reed’s motivation for sending the bomb stemmed from his frustration and anger after a probation officer informed him that he remained a danger to children.
The incident was a direct response to the ongoing efforts to keep him away from minors, which Reed evidently viewed as a personal affront.
Prosecutor Andrew Maitland explained that Reed’s criminal history included a hospital order issued in 1991 following his indecent assaults on two young boys.
The court heard that Reed was deeply upset by the assessment that he posed a risk to the public, which appeared to fuel his retaliatory actions.
Reed’s mental health was also a significant factor in the case.
Diagnosed with schizophrenia, he admitted to possessing explosives, which led to his being subjected to an indefinite hospital order.
The court’s decision reflected the seriousness of his offense and the potential danger he posed to society, despite his mental health condition.
