A hospital patient who averted a terror attack at St James's Hospital in Leeds by talking a would-be bomber out of detonating a pressure cooker device in a maternity wing has spoken publicly for the first time about his actions. Nathan Newby, 35, will receive the George Medal on Wednesday for his bravery in confronting Mohammad Farooq, who was later jailed for life with a minimum term of 37 years.
On the night of January 20, 2023, Mr Newby, who was a patient at the hospital, went outside for a vape and saw Farooq swaying with his hands in his pockets. He approached him to check if he was alright, and over several hours persuaded him not to carry out the attack. Farooq eventually revealed he had a bomb in his bag, and Mr Newby asked to see it to confirm it was real.
Mr Newby said he was scared but focused on moving Farooq away from the building to minimise casualties. He asked about the bomb's radius and guided him to nearby benches, calculating that if it detonated, it would only damage the doors. The pair chatted about family and children, and Farooq asked for a hug several times, which Mr Newby provided.
Farooq, a former clinical support worker at the hospital, had a grievance with nurses and was inspired by the Islamic State group. He eventually told Mr Newby to call the police before he changed his mind. Armed officers arrived and detained Farooq without incident.
Mr Newby said the enormity of the situation only hit him later, sitting in a police van. He described himself as 'just in the right place at the right time' and said he did not judge Farooq, seeing him as a 'nice guy' going through bad times. The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, called Mr Newby 'an extraordinary, ordinary man' whose kindness prevented an atrocity.
