A retired electrical appliances engineer has been handed a 15‑year prison sentence after detonating a homemade bomb beside an Ultra Low Emission Zone camera in Sidcup, south London. The blast, which occurred on 6 December 2023, sent shrapnel flying up to 100 metres, striking the exterior of a child’s bedroom and narrowly missing a passing bus. Counter‑terrorism officers were called in, and the investigation linked the device to Kevin Rees, a 63‑year‑old known for his vocal opposition to the Ulez scheme on social media.
The Blast and Its Aftermath
At approximately 6.45 pm, Rees approached the newly installed Ulez camera on Willersley Avenue, planted an improvised explosive device and lit a fuse before walking away. The explosion rattled nearby homes, damaged vehicles and left a crater in the road. Remarkably, no one was killed or seriously injured, a fact that Detective Chief Superintendent James Desham described as “miraculous”. He added that Rees showed “a complete disregard for the welfare and safety of the people who live in, or were travelling through, the area”.
Investigation and Trial
Police traced the blast to Rees after analysing CCTV, which showed a bus narrowly avoiding the debris by seconds, and examining his online activity. He had posted repeatedly about Ulez cameras, encouraging others to damage them. A search of his address uncovered three homemade stun guns. During the trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Rees denied involvement, claiming his arrest stemmed from his participation in anti‑Ulez Facebook groups. He told jurors, “I assumed it was just the so‑called Facebook police… People you hear being arrested for making bad or inappropriate comments on Facebook pages – that’s well‑known, as it’s been on the news. The thing is, I didn’t actually do anything wrong.” The prosecution, led by Bethan David of the CPS counterterrorism division, argued that the act was a premeditated attack designed to destroy public infrastructure, not a spontaneous protest.
Sentencing and Reaction
In January, a jury found Rees guilty of causing an explosion likely to endanger life. On Friday, Judge Anthony Bate at the Old Bailey sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment, noting the incident possessed a “terrorism connection” that warranted a tougher term and will impose strict licence conditions upon his release. Rees also received a concurrent three‑year sentence after admitting three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon. The Metropolitan Police emphasized that the judge’s ruling underscores the seriousness of using explosives in a residential setting, regardless of motive.
Why it Matters
This case highlights how fringe opposition to environmental policies can escalate into violent endangerment, putting innocent residents at risk. The conviction sends a clear signal that the justice system will treat the creation and use of homemade explosives as a grave crime, irrespective of the grievance behind it. For communities living near enforcement cameras, the ruling reinforces that public safety will be prioritised over acts of sabotage, and that those who choose to bypass lawful protest with violence will face significant consequences.
