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ATM Bomber Kristopher Follos Jailed for Eight Years After Northumberland Blast

A regional investigation tied him to multiple failed raids, uncovering viable bombs at his home.

Overview

  • Newcastle Crown Court handed the 45-year-old an eight-year sentence plus a three-year extended licence, with eligibility for parole only after serving at least two-thirds.
  • CCTV from May 12 at Hedgeley Service Station in Powburn showed two men in an Audi A3 inserting and igniting an improvised explosive device before fleeing empty-handed.
  • The blast damaged an ATM holding about £14,860, and repairs were put at roughly £4,815, with no cash stolen.
  • A September search of his Morpeth flat found three viable IEDs, triggering the evacuation of a 16-apartment block while bomb disposal teams made the devices safe.
  • Follos admitted making the explosives and acknowledged two similar failed attempts in Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, with phone data revealing research into ATM attacks and cash-in-transit targets.