Man admits charges related to hoax bomb outside police station

A man from County Tyrone has admitted to charges related to a hoax bomb that was left at a police station.

A motorist was forced to drive the suspicious object to the station in Omagh after being held at gunpoint on 6 May 2023.

The car was hijacked by three masked men near a church near Fireagh Road, off the Dromore Road, and several homes were evacuated near the station on the Derry Road.

Sean Pearson, from Culmore Park, Omagh, pleaded guilty to four charges in Belfast Crown Court on Monday.

His barrister, Gavan Duffy KC, asked the judge that his client be re-arraigned on the four charges.

The 33-year old plead guilty when the charge was put to him that he by force or by threat compelled 'Witness A' to use a VW Golf for an unlawful purpose namely conveying a hoax bomb device to Omagh PSNI

He also admitted charges of placing an article inside a vehicle with the intention of causing a bomb hoax and of possessing a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and robbing 'Witness A' of a mobile phone.

Mr Justice Fowler granted bail until Tuesday when he will fix a date for the plea and sentence.