A man who approached people in the street and told them he had a bomb has been jailed.

Leon Daines had a device in his hand and went up to members of the public in Talbot Crescent, Hasland, claiming that he had a bomb.

One witness said Daines told him: “There’s C4 in this tin if you pull the pin it will explode.”

Armed police officers were called to the scene at 5.30pm on Wednesday 11 September 2024 and found him in the street squirting a water pistol at passing vehicles.

The 39-year-old, of no fixed abode, was charged with causing a bomb hoax by communicating false information.

To see a picture of him, please visit Man jailed over bomb hoax in Chesterfield | Derbyshire Constabulary 

He admitted the offence and was jailed for four months at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday 20 January.

After sentencing, Sergeant Josh Carter, of Chesterfield Safter Neighbourhood Team, said: “This incident obviously caused alarm in the community and took up a significant amount of police resources, including deploying armed officers.

“Let this be a lesson to anyone thinking about committing acts such as this that tie-up police time – we will not tolerate it and you could find yourself behind bars.” 

Members of the public can report crime to us in a number of ways:

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.