Failed Islamist suicide bomber found dead at Strangeways jail

The circumstances of his death are currently under investigation

Nicky Reilly, who had Asperger's and learning difficulties, admitted attempted murder and preparing an act of terrorism (Rex/Police handout)

A Muslim convert who was jailed for life over a failed terror attempt has been found dead at HMP Manchester.

Nicky Reilly, also known as Mohamed Rashid Saeed-Alim, was found dead at the prison, also known as Strangeways, on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for HM Prison Service confirmed.

He had been ordered to serve a minimum term of 18 years in prison in 2009 after pleading guilty to attempted murder and preparing an act of terrorism following his failed attempt to carry out a suicide attack on a restaurant in Exeter.

Reilly, who was described as the “least cunning person ever to have been charged with terrorism”, accidentally set off a homemade nail bomb early in a toilet cubicle in Giraffe in May 2008.

He had intended to detonate the device attached to his stomach in the packed dining area.

The bomb was made up of three bottles filled with caustic soda, kerosene and nails attached to a detonator.

Reilly got stuck in a toilet cubicle while preparing for the blast and one of the bottles accidentally detonated – causing restaurant customers to flee in panic as he stumbled out with serious facial injuries – but no one else was hurt.

The 30-year-old, who had Asperger’s syndrome and learning difficulties, decided to carry out the attack after being encouraged by people on the internet but insisted he had not been “brainwashed or indoctrinated”.

He had converted to Islam between 2002 and 2003 and was soon telling others that he wanted to commit jihad – saying it was his “dream” to become a “martyr” by killing himself and others.

In 2004 Reilly, who was originally from Plymouth in Devon, had begun downloading videos on bomb making and martyrdom.

He considered bombing Plymouth's Charles Cross police station and Drake Circus shopping centre as well as Devonport dockyard.

In a rambling suicide note written in red ink and left in his bedroom, Reilly described how he was motivated by the "disgusting" behaviour of people in Britain as well as the "war on Islam".

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "HMP Manchester prisoner Mohamed Saeed-Alim died in custody on Wednesday October 19.

"As with all deaths in custody, there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman."

Additional reporting by PA