Man jailed for 15 years over Ulez camera blast

A man who blew up a ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) camera in south-east London has been jailed for 15 years.

Kevin Rees, 63, detonated the explosives in the camera in Wellesley Avenue, Sidcup, at about 18:45 GMT on 6 December 2023.

The device damaged cars and houses up to 100m away, with shrapnel hitting outside of a child's bedroom. Rees, of Harcourt Avenue, Sidcup, was convicted in January at Woolwich Crown Court of causing an explosion likely to endanger life.

During the trial, the retired electrical engineer told the jury he "strongly opposed" the Ulez scheme and the mayor of London, Lord Sadiq Khan.

The Metropolitan Police said Judge Anthony Bate, who delivered the sentence at the Old Bailey, ruled that the offence had a "terrorism connection", resulting in a tougher sentence and stricter controls after Rees's release.

"It was miraculous that nobody was killed or seriously injured in the large explosion caused by Rees," said Det Ch Supt James Derham, who leads local policing in the Bexley area.

"He showed a complete disregard for the welfare and safety of the people who live in, or were travelling through, the area at the time of the explosion – all because he was unhappy with the Ulez scheme."

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