A masked man who released highly flammable butane gas inside packed Manchester Metrolink tram carriages has pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a public nuisance, just hours before his trial was due to begin.
Ghalib Saeed, 31, of Eadington Street, Manchester, changed his plea at the eleventh hour at Manchester Crown Court today, admitting to the bizarre attacks that left commuters dizzy and sparked fears of a potential explosion on the city’s transport network.
The disturbing incidents occurred on March 15, 20 and 22, when Saeed boarded trams on the busy Bury to Victoria line wearing a terrifying gas mask covering his mouth and nose. Witnesses reported hearing a distinctive “hissing sound” as he emptied butane canisters inside the crowded carriages.
Passengers described a strong smell of gas rapidly filling the trams, with several commuters reporting headaches and dizziness during the attacks. Though no serious injuries were reported, the incidents caused widespread panic among travellers on one of Manchester’s busiest transport routes.
The court heard that butane, commonly used in cigarette lighters and camping stoves, is an extremely flammable gas that poses a high risk of explosion when exposed to heat, flames or sparks. Safety experts warn that butane can easily ignite with minimal exposure to an ignition source, making Saeed’s actions particularly dangerous in the confined space of a tram carriage.
During an earlier court appearance in April, prosecution counsel Neil Fryman described the attacks as “very disturbing behaviour,” noting that “a lot of people were affected on a number of occasions.” The prosecutor emphasised the severity of releasing a highly flammable substance in a crowded public transport setting.
Judge Elizabeth Nicholls warned Saeed that “all sentencing options will remain open,” including a custodial sentence. She noted that the starting point for an offence of this nature is imprisonment, given the potential danger to public safety.
The attacks prompted a major police response, with Detective Chief Inspector Paddy Connell from Greater Manchester Police’s City of Manchester Division leading the investigation. Following Saeed’s arrest in late March, DCI Connell sought to reassure the public, stating: “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.”
Saeed was initially charged with four counts of administration of noxious substance with intent, alongside the three counts of causing a public nuisance. The more serious charges carried significant potential sentences, reflecting the gravity of releasing a dangerous substance in a public space.
The incidents caused significant disruption to Manchester’s transport network, with services on the Bury line temporarily suspended during the police investigation. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) was forced to implement additional security measures across the Metrolink network.
At the time of the attacks, TfGM released a statement saying: “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.”
The case highlights ongoing concerns about security on public transport networks. Manchester Metrolink, which carries millions of passengers annually across its 64-mile network, has previously dealt with various security incidents, though none as unusual as Saeed’s gas attacks.
According to transport safety experts, butane gas is particularly dangerous in enclosed spaces like tram carriages because it is heavier than air and can accumulate at ground level. In transport applications, butane is typically stored as a liquid under pressure to reduce explosion risk, but when released as a gas, it can create an extremely hazardous environment.
The gas can cause various health effects when inhaled, including dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and headaches – symptoms consistent with those reported by affected passengers. More seriously, butane’s high flammability means that any ignition source, including a mobile phone spark or static electricity, could have triggered a catastrophic explosion.
DCI Connell had appealed to the public during the investigation, stating: “We are working hard to establish the full circumstances of the events that have been reported over recent days. This includes anyone who believes they have witnessed something suspicious, or similar to the incidents that we are dealing with.”
The police response involved reviewing extensive CCTV footage from across the Metrolink network, which ultimately helped identify Saeed as the perpetrator. Greater Manchester Police deployed additional officers to transport hubs following the incidents to provide reassurance to concerned passengers.
The case has raised questions about security screening on public transport, with some calling for enhanced measures to prevent dangerous items being brought onto trams and buses. However, transport officials face the challenge of balancing security with the need to maintain an efficient, accessible public transport system.
Saeed has been remanded in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for November. The court has ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared, which will assess factors including his mental state and motivation for the attacks.
The judge’s warning that “all sentencing options remain open” suggests Saeed could face a substantial prison term. Offences involving the release of noxious substances in public places are treated particularly seriously by the courts, given the potential for mass casualties.
The incidents have prompted TfGM to review its security protocols, though officials stress that such incidents remain extremely rare on the network. The Metrolink system, which includes 99 stops across Greater Manchester, typically maintains a strong safety record despite carrying over 40 million passengers annually.
For commuters who experienced the attacks, the psychological impact may persist long after the physical symptoms subsided. Several witnesses have reported ongoing anxiety about using public transport, highlighting the broader impact of Saeed’s actions beyond the immediate danger posed by the gas.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public transport systems to deliberate acts of disruption. While major terrorist attacks have thankfully been rare in recent years, incidents like Saeed’s demonstrate that even lone individuals can cause significant fear and disruption with relatively simple methods.
As Manchester’s transport network continues to expand, with new tram lines and increased passenger numbers, maintaining security while preserving the open, accessible nature of public transport remains an ongoing challenge for authorities.
Saeed’s guilty plea spares witnesses the ordeal of reliving their experiences in court, but questions remain about his motivation for the attacks and whether mental health issues played a role in his actions.
The November sentencing hearing will likely provide more details about the case and Saeed’s background, offering some answers to a city left bewildered by the bizarre and dangerous attacks on its transport network.
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