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Horror at DIY car bomb attack

Dan Thompson
29/11/2007

A SHOPKEEPER has spoken of his fear after a potentially deadly homemade explosive device blew up under his car.

Off licence manager David Ezard was in his store when the  DIY bomb - which contained ball bearings, batteries, nails and washers - was deliberately detonated under his Renault Scenic parked outside.

Detectives have said it was "incredibly lucky" that no-one was seriously injured or killed in the targeted attack at Bargain Booze on Boarshaw Road.

The explosion caused smoke to billow through the store as Mr Ezard and a shop assistant ducked down to take cover.

"It was frightening because there was such a loud bang," Mr Ezard said. "We both shouted 'what the heck was that'? At first I thought someone had thrown a firework into the shop.

"Then the car alarm went off and people came running in from all over asking what had happened."

Mr Ezard went outside to investigate and discovered the remains of a firework and a plastic container, with ball bearings scattered on the ground.

He collected evidence and then called police to the scene on Monday 19 November just before 9.30pm.

Nobody was injured in the incident, but the following day Mr Ezard found damage to his car, including nails, plastic and washers embedded underneath.

He said: "When I thought about it on Tuesday and Wednesday I found it a bit disturbing that someone targeted my car like this."

The incident was caught on the shop's CCTV cameras, and police are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick said: "Although we think the car was the intended target, it was incredibly lucky that nobody was seriously injured or worse by this device.

"We're treating this as an isolated incident but are determined to find the person responsible to prevent it happening again."

He added: "There are a couple of people caught on the CCTV who might have witnessed this incident, and we'd appeal to them to come forward.

"If you know anything about it please contact us immediately. Remember that any information you give us can be passed in confidence to Crimestoppers."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4644 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Click on the video window to see video of the incident ...