Jailed: Woman gets 16 years for bomb plot involving Shrewsbury man
A woman who posed as a Swedish model to entrap a Shrewsbury man into taking part in her bid to murder police officers has been jailed for 16 years and four months.
Christine Connor, 31, gasped as Belfast Crown Court Judge David McFarland imposed the sentence for the attempted murder of a police officer and other terror offences.
Judge McFarland told Connor he believed she was dangerous and was "committed to a violent philosophy to achieve political objectives".
Connor attacked police in North Belfast with blast bombs on two occasions in May 2013 after luring them into the area with fake 999 calls.
The officers escaped serious injury.
The court heard that Connor enticed Stuart Downes, from Shrewsbury, into her plot by using a fake online profile, including a fictitious name and photo of Swedish model Sanne Alexandra Andersson.
Mr Downes sourced and purchased the explosives before shipping them to Connor in Belfast.
He was arrested, questioned and charged with a series of offences linked to the May 2013 attack.
But the 31-year-old was found dead in woodland at the rear of Meole Brace park and ride in June 2016 while on bail for the incident.
An earlier court hearing in Northern Ireland heard that Downes was alleged to have researched and acquired component parts, tested an explosive mixture and made an anonymous phone call to establish a code-word.
Mr Downes had denied all charges against him.
He was reported missing after leaving his home in Ryton Close, Meole Brace, on June 18. His family had assumed he was going to visit his girlfriend but he never returned home.
When a note was found the following day and Mr Downes had still not returned home, he was reported missing to police.
A high risk missing person search was launched and a body was found in woodland on June 24. It was confirmed to be Mr Downes via fingerprint identification. Toxicology reports revealed no drugs were in his system and there was only a small level of alcohol.
An inquest held in October last year was told that Mr Downes was last seen on Hereford Road at around 3pm. He was exchanging messages with a friend for nearly three hours before no more replies were sent from his phone.
Shropshire coroner John Ellery said the possible outcome of the criminal proceedings had been weighing heavily on Mr Downes' mind and gave a verdict of suicide.
Police said Connor had also enticed American man Zachary Gevelinger online using her fake identity.
Mr Gevelinger was arrested and questioned by police after he visited Connor in Hydebank Prison in July 2013. He later took his own life.
Neither men had any previous connections to Northern Ireland.
Judge McFarland described Mr Downes as a "pitiful, troubled and vulnerable young man".
"Why he became involved with you is a mystery," he added.
Judge McFarland told Connor there were "disturbing and sinister" aspects to her relationship with Mr Downes and that she "appears to have been the controlling influence".
He said she had attempted to indoctrinate Mr Downes with her views of Irish history.
"It's within your power to manipulate others. You are committed to a violent philosophy to achieve political objectives. You have shown little remorse.
"I find you dangerous," added the judge.
