Expelled law student convicted for making hoax ‘bomb’ threat to Reading University

Muzammil Ayyaz made 700 calls threatening staff


An ex-law student has been convicted of making a hoax bomb threat to the University of Reading during induction week.

Muzammil Ayyaz was “angry and frustrated” after being expelled by the university.

In summer 2023, he made 700 calls to the university to threaten staff, according to prosecutors.

The 30-year-old called the university twice on 15th September and 19th September 2023 using an anonymous number and robotic voice, claiming that a bomb had been placed at the university, Reading Crown Court heard.

The court heard the hoax prompted a police response and triggered university evacuation protocols. The prosecution noted Ayyaz’s timing during induction week was intended to have “maximal effect”.

Ayyaz had previously launched judicial review proceedings against the University of Reading, which had been settled. This allowed him to return to the university before he was expelled.

via Wikimedia Commons

Benjamin Waller, prosecutor, told jurors: “He deliberately called during an induction week, he knew the building would be busy and did it for maximal effect. Police were called, buildings evacuated, matters were taken just as seriously as Mr Ayyaz has intended.

“The fact is, things really are as simple as they seem. Sometimes a man gets angry and frustrated by being expelled by a university. Instead of processing that decision and dealing with it, he begins by calling in vile threats of rape, torture, murder, against people he perceives had wronged him.

“He becomes more extreme, starts calling in bomb threats in the hope this may finally cause some tangible upset to the people and institution he feels so wronged by. It is about a man who feels wronged, lashing out in revenge and wants to cause the people he blames some discomfort, some fear.

“Of course, Mr Ayyaz says they are people who are out to get him, who are conspiring against him. Mr Ayyaz denies he was threatening or abusive and insists he was in distress and looking for assistance to get himself re-instated at university.”

Ayyaz represented himself during the trial after firing two separate legal teams.

In the closing speech of his defence, Ayyaz told jurors: “I have no previous convictions, I definitely say to you that I have not committed the offences I am indicted with.”

Ayyaz was found guilty of two counts of communicating false information. He is due to be sentenced on 14th April.

Featured image via Wikimedia Commons