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In 2023 at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, a patient named Nathan Newby courageously intervened to stop a potential bombing. Diagnosed with a chest infection and receiving treatment at the hospital, Newby noticed Mohammad Farooq acting anxiously near the maternity ward. Farooq, an employee at the hospital, was carrying a pressure cooker bomb containing 10 kilograms of explosives, intended to target the facility. After observing Farooq’s restless behavior and his constant attention to a bag, Newby approached him and, through persistent conversation and empathy, managed to persuade him to abandon his deadly plan.
During their two-hour interaction, Newby stayed close to Farooq, fully aware of the danger but determined not to provoke panic. “I thought there’s no way of getting away now so I might as well stay with the guy,” Newby said, explaining his decision to remain by Farooq’s side. As they talked, Newby engaged Farooq in discussions about his motivations and personal struggles, offering a human connection rather than confrontation. At one point, Farooq even requested a hug, to which Newby replied, “yes, have a hug mate.” This moment of compassion played a key role in calming Farooq, who eventually asked Newby to call the police before he changed his mind.
Farooq’s intentions were severe; he was described in court as a “self-radicalised lone-wolf terrorist” who harbored grievances against colleagues and planned to “kill as many nurses as possible.” He had initially targeted RAF Menwith Hill, a spy base near Harrogate, but later shifted his plan to the hospital, a less protected location. The pressure cooker bomb he carried was reportedly twice the size of the device used in the 2013 Boston Marathon attack. After Newby’s intervention, armed police arrived and arrested Farooq, who was later found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism and sentenced to a minimum of 37 years in prison.
Newby’s brave and composed actions have been widely praised. The judge at the trial, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, described him as an “extraordinary man,” while prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC stated that Newby’s “simple act of kindness almost certainly saved many lives.” Det Supt Paul Greenwood, head of investigations for Counter Terrorism Policing North East, highlighted how rare it is to see such a narrowly averted attack and remarked, “He was the right person in the right place at the right time, because most people wouldn’t have done what he did.” In recognition of his bravery, Newby is set to receive the George Medal, an honor awarded for acts of great courage, during a ceremony at St James’ Palace. Reflecting on his experience, Newby expressed pride in having saved lives but remained humble, saying, “I like to think that anybody would do that… it’s just me, it’s just how I am.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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