Hoax Bomb Threats: NY Man Jailed Over UK Venue Calls

Published: 09 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A New York man has been jailed after making multiple hoax bomb threats targeting UK hospitals and public venues. David Hart, 22, appeared at a US district court in New York on 6 January following a joint investigation by Scotland Yard and the US Department of Homeland Security. Hart’s hoax bomb threats included repeated calls to London hospitals, bars, restaurants, and even Westminster Abbey, demonstrating a sustained effort to alarm victims. Many of these calls described bombs planted in UK locations, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS hospitals.

Hart’s hoax bomb threats began in late October 2023 and continued through mid-November, resulting in 95 calls to UK numbers. Of these, 66 were directed to London, with recipients including seven hospitals, six restaurants and bars, two police control rooms, a cancer support centre, and attempts at Westminster Abbey. The calls often contained detailed threats, specifying times and locations and creating fear among staff. One recording released by the Met Police captures Hart stating, “All right, I put a bomb in you guys’ corridor bathroom … You have exactly about 12 seconds to get out of that building.” Authorities said that the threats were not idle, and Hart’s persistence demonstrated he knew the calls would be perceived as credible by those on the receiving end.

Security measures were immediately taken after the calls. At one London hospital, staff conducted full lockdown procedures while explosive searches were carried out. Other locations also enforced evacuations or heightened security to ensure public safety. The Met Police emphasized that although some recipients were sceptical, the nature of the threats forced venues to respond as if they were genuine. In several instances, Hart called the same locations multiple times over days, prolonging the distress.

In addition to targeting hospitals, Hart threatened bars, supermarkets, and restaurants, often describing his bombs in alarming detail. In one call, he claimed to have constructed a homemade device filled with nails and positioned it in a hotel basement. The calculated and specific nature of these hoax bomb threats heightened the risk perceived by recipients. Law enforcement noted the psychological impact on staff who had to respond to potential explosive threats, highlighting the serious nature of Hart’s crimes.

US prosecutors confirmed that Hart knowingly engaged in behaviour designed to intimidate and alarm. The investigation revealed no evidence that he intended to detonate any devices, but the sustained nature of his hoax bomb threats across multiple UK locations warranted a custodial sentence. His actions required significant emergency response resources and caused genuine disruption to public and healthcare services. Scotland Yard praised the collaborative effort between UK and US authorities, which ensured Hart was held accountable for his international campaign of hoax bomb threats.

The case demonstrates the ongoing challenges posed by cross-border hoax threats, particularly those leveraging telecommunications to alarm foreign jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies emphasized the importance of coordinated international response, showing that even digital or telephonic threats can carry severe consequences. Authorities also warned that hoax bomb threats are treated seriously under the law, with persistent offenders facing significant custodial sentences.

The Met Police continue to work with international partners to identify and prevent similar hoaxes. Public venues, including hospitals and cultural sites, have been advised to maintain robust security protocols and reporting mechanisms to mitigate risks. Hart’s sentencing serves as a reminder that hoax bomb threats, while sometimes dismissed by recipients as non-credible, pose real operational and psychological consequences. His case underscores the vigilance required to ensure public safety in an interconnected world, where threats can cross borders instantaneously.

Hart’s conviction closes a chapter in a disturbing series of hoax bomb threats that challenged both UK and US authorities. The collaboration between Scotland Yard and the US Department of Homeland Security demonstrates the increasing need for international coordination in combating threats targeting multiple countries. Hart will serve a one-year sentence, reflecting the serious disruption and fear generated by his actions. While the physical danger of his hoax bomb threats may have been limited, the legal and operational repercussions were significant, highlighting the zero-tolerance approach adopted by law enforcement.

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