A MASKED man who gassed trams with a highly flammable vapour in a UK city centre has pleaded guilty.
Ghalib Saeed, 31, let off butane gas inside Manchester Metrolink tram carriages on three “disturbing” occasions on March 15, 20 and 22.
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Passengers on the trams reported hearing a “hissing sound” and seeing a man clad in a terrifying gas mask during the attacks.
A number of commuters complained they felt dizzy after the incidents but thankfully no injuries were reported.
Witnesses reported seeing Saeed board the trams with a gas mask covering his mouth and nose.
Passengers would then hear a hissing sound as he emptied gas canisters in the carriages.
People then reported a strong smell of gas filling the trams and said they developed “headaches” and were left feeling “dizzy” during the incidents.
Several reports were made to the police and Saeed was arrested.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a public nuisance at the eleventh hour today.
He changed his plea just before a trial at Manchester Crown Court was due to go ahead today.
During a court appearance in April prosecution counsel Neil Fryman said: “The Crown says it’s very disturbing behaviour, a lot of people were affected on a number of occasions.”
Saeed was warned by the judge that the starting point for an offence of this nature is a prison sentence.
The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be written up.
Judge Elizabeth Nicholls warned Saeed that “all sentencing options will remain open.”
Saeed has been remanded in custody and is due to return to court to learn his fate in November.
At the time of the bizarre incidents Transport for Greater Manchester said: “We are aware of these incidents on Metrolink and are assisting Greater Manchester Police with their enquiries at this time.
“The safety of our Passengers and staff is a core priority – everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe across the Bee Network.”
At the time of Saeed’s arrest Detective Chief Inspector Paddy Connell, from GMPs City of Manchester Division, said: “We fully appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern in our communities, but I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there is any wider threat present.
“We have now secured the arrest of a man and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of the events that have been reported over recent days.
“As officers continue to work their way through all the evidence available, we are asking anyone who has any information to please come forward.
“This includes anyone who believes they have witnessed something suspicious, or similar to the incidents that we are dealing with.
“Our transport hubs are operating as usual, and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to speak to a police officer, who will be more than happy to discuss any queries you may have.”
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