Two lawyers who helped Britain’s FBI confiscate £1million from a wealthy businessman’s wife were then targeted in a bomb plot, a court has heard.
Jonathan Nuttall, 50, of Romsey, Hampshire, is accused of planting two packages resembling explosive devices at Gray’s Inn lawyer’s chambers on 14 September 2021.
Andrew Sutcliffe KC, and Anne Jeavons had both acted for the National Crime Agency in the recovery of £1million of assets from Nuttall’s wife Amanda Nuttall in 2019.
Mr Nuttall and his associates left packages designed to resemble explosive devices and set off smoke grenades to cause maximum alarm in the heart of London‘s legal district, the court heard.
Buildings were evacuated, roads cordoned off and a large number of police officers attended the scene. The court heard that devices were placed in envelopes with Andrew Sutcliffe’s name on.
Two lawyers who helped Britain’s FBI confiscate £1million from a wealthy businessman’s wife were then targeted in a bomb plot, a court has heard. Jonathan Nuttall, 50, (pictured) of Romsey, Hampshire, is accused of planting two packages resembling explosive devices at Gray’s Inn lawyer’s chambers on 14 September 2021
Andrew Sutcliffe, KC, and Anne Jeavons had both acted for the National Crime Agency in the recovery of £1million of assets from Nuttall’s wife Amanda Nuttall in 2019. Mr Nuttall and his associates left packages designed to resemble explosive devices and set off smoke grenades to cause maximum alarm in the heart of London’s legal district, the court heard (pictured, Gray’s Inn Square)
Nuttall recruited former Royal Marine Michael Broddle, 46, through his driver, Michael Sode, 58. Broddle spied on the lawyers and their families for six months, jurors were told.
Broddle, 46, has admitted two counts of placing an article with intention of inducing a belief it would explode or ignite and possession of an explosive substance.
Mr Nuttall, his driver Mr Sode, along with Michael’s sons Joshua Broddle, 20, and Charlie Broddle, 18, all deny two counts of placing an article with intent.
Charlie also denies possession of an explosive substance, the first device.
Another man, George Gray, 25, is charged alongside the other defendants with attempting to transfer money they knew or suspected was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly said: ‘On the afternoon of Tuesday 14th September 2021 two packages that were designed to resemble explosive devices were left in Gray’s Inn, an estate mainly comprising the offices from which barristers work, known as barristers’ chambers.
‘One of the devices was left close to a bench. The other device was left in a much more specific location, outside a set of barristers’ chambers known as 3 Verulam Buildings.
‘At the time that device was left there, a smoke grenade was also let off, just to ensure that the device did not go unnoticed and maximum alarm was caused.
‘These two devices were left in both locations with a quite clear objective- to cause serious panic, thereby drawing significant attention.
‘As you will hear, the objectives were accomplished – buildings were evacuated, roads cordoned off and a large number of police officers attended the scene.
‘Both of the devices were accompanied by envelopes or packages, both of which had the name of Andrew Sutcliffe marked on them.
‘He is a senior barrister, Kings Counsel, and he practices from 3 Verulam Buildings, outside of which one of those two devices had been left. Andrew Sutcliffe was the clear target of the events at Gray’s Inn that afternoon.
‘The significant attention that surrounded those events was designed not only to cause widespread alarm but it was intended to specifically cause him alarm, distress and public and professional embarrassment.
Nuttall recruited former Royal Marine Michael Broddle, 46, through his driver, Michael Sode, 58. Broddle spied on the lawyers and their families for six months. Broddle, 46, has admitted two counts of placing an article with intention of inducing a belief it would explode or ignite and possession of an explosive substance. Mr Nuttall, his driver Mr Sode, along with Michael’s sons Joshua Broddle, 20, and Charlie Broddle, 18, (pictured) all deny two counts of placing an article with intent
Another man, George Gray, 25, is charged alongside the other defendants with attempting to transfer money they knew or suspected was the proceeds of criminal conduct
‘Whoever was behind such an attack had clearly considered and planned it carefully.
‘Such a person must have had a deep-seated grudge against him and it would have required the means in which to execute such a bold and targeted strike against him. The prosecution case is that that person was Jonathan Nuttall.
‘Since 2011, the National Crime Agency had been engaged in an investigation into Jonathan Nuttall, his wife Amanda, and others.
‘That investigation concerned suspicions of money laundering and other offences. In 2015, the NCA had instructed Andrew Sutcliffe to conduct the legal proceedings flowing from that investigation.
‘Later, in 2017, the NCA instructed a second barrister in Andrew Sutcliffe’s chambers to work alongside him on the case, Anne Jeavons .
‘That case has gone on over several years and it involved an order being made in April 2019 for over £1 million worth of assets being recovered from Amanda Nuttall. The case didn’t end there and, in fact, it continues to be litigated in the High Court.
‘It is clear Jonathan Nuttall harboured a great deal of animosity towards Andrew Sutcliffe and, to a lesser degree, Anne Jeavons, accusing them of behaving in an unprofessional way when conducting the case for the NCA.
‘It is clear that Jonathan Nuttall perceived the NCA case as causing him and his family public embarrassment and ruining their reputation and he was not willing to accept that.
‘Michael Broddle had been conducting research and surveillance on Andrew Sutcliffe and his family for at least six months beforehand. He had done the same in relation to Anne Jeavons and her family. Both Charlie and Joshua Broddle had assisted him in doing this.’
Michael Broddle was a close associate of Sode, who allegedly recruited him on Nuttall’s behalf, the court heard.
Charlie waited nearby and filmed the arrival of police on his mobile while his father left the devices, the court heard. Ms Farrelly said that Joshua had provided the packing for one of the devices.
Michael Broddle served as a Royal Marine commando for more than 11 years between 1994 and 2005.
Nuttall, of Embley Lane, Romsey, Sode, of Fusion Apartments, Lewisham, and Joshua and Charlie both of White Bear Lane, Hounslow, deny two counts of conspiracy to place an article with intent to induce the belief it would explode or ignite.
Nuttall denies six counts of failing to comply with a notice by failing to disclose the PIN or passcode of phones and devices. Sode denies two counts of the same charge. The trial is set to last until the end of July (pictured, the Old Bailey)
Michael Broddle, also of White Bear Lane, Hounslow admits the two counts and possession of an explosive substance.
Charlie Broddle denies possession of an explosive substance.
Nuttall, Sode, Michael Broddle, Joshua and Gray, of Harrow Road, Wembley, deny conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Nuttall denies six counts of failing to comply with a notice by failing to disclose the PIN or passcode of phones and devices. Sode denies two counts of the same charge.
The trial is set to last until the end of July.
DailyMail
