Nigel Horlock, 41, has been charged following a bomb hoax that caused the evacuation of 78 homes in Knowle, South Bristol. The incident also involved suspected arson and assaults on emergency workers. Horlock is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court in May.
A man from Bristol has been formally charged in connection with a bomb hoax that led to the evacuation of nearly 80 homes in the Knowle area of South Bristol. Nigel Horlock, aged 41 and residing in Bedminster Down, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 21 April, facing multiple serious offences tied to the incident.
The sequence of events unfolded on Friday, 18 April, when emergency services responded to reports of a fire at a property on Queenshill Road. Firefighters attending the scene discovered what was described as “potential suspected ordnance,” prompting them to alert the police. In response, a cordon was established around the area, and authorities evacuated 78 homes in Queenshill Road and neighbouring streets to ensure residents’ safety. Those evacuated were required to remain away from their homes for several hours that afternoon.
Following investigations, Horlock was arrested at the scene on the same day. The charges brought against him include communicating false information with the intention of creating a bomb hoax, arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, common assault of an emergency worker, and assault by beating of an emergency worker.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson confirmed the charges and stated that Horlock was remanded in custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court on 23 May.
The incident caused significant disruption to the community, with emergency services maintaining a strong presence in the area throughout the operation. Photographs from the scene on Queenshill Road depict police officers within the cordoned zone during the response on 18 April.
The Bristol Magistrates’ Court proceedings mark the beginning of the legal process amid the serious nature of the accusations surrounding this event. Further adjudication is set to take place in the Crown Court next month.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The event described occurred recently on 18 April 2023, and the narrative mentions a future court appearance on 23 May, indicating the content is very fresh.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative includes a quote from an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson but does not provide the original source or date of the quote, as it appears to be integrated within the news report contextually.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news source, The Bristol Post. While local news outlets can sometimes vary in credibility, The Bristol Post is generally seen as reliable for local news reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims appear plausible given the context of a recent and serious incident. The details provided align with typical police and court procedures for such charges.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and based on recent events. The information provided about the charges and court proceedings aligns with typical legal procedures, contributing to a high level of plausibility. While the source is generally reliable, there are no direct quotes that can be independently verified, which reduces the quote check score.
