Judge Mr Justice Fulford QC has told prosecutors they must decide by Wednesday if they are to seek a retrial of Adel Yahya, 24, and Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34.
Prosecutors claimed that Yahya was the fifth bomber who ‘lost his nerve’ before dumping his explosive device near Little Wormwood Scrubs. It was alleged that Yahya was part of the inner-circle of bombers, but he claimed he had been duped.
As the six-month trial came to an end, Justice Fulford praised the jury of nine women and three men.
“Your patience, good humour and perseverance in the face of this lengthy trial has been exemplary,” he said.
The four convicted bombers will be sentenced on Wednesday after Justice Fulford has heard mitigation from their lawyers.
All six defendants denied the charges against them, claiming the devices were dummies and their actions were simply a protest against the war in Iraq. However, police and prosecutors said that the devices were all viable.
It is thought that a mix of technical failure, warm weather and ‘good fortune’ prevented the bombs from exploding.
The failed attacks sparked a huge manhunt for the would-be bombers, and prosecutors later used CCTV and eyewitness accounts as their evidence in court.
This afternoon, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke praised the public for their bravery, some of whom confronted the bombers after their devices failed.
“These men obviously set out to replicate the horrors that had been inflicted on Londoners on 7 July 2005.”
He continued, “But no one will forget the impact or the consequences of what they did – coming just two weeks after 52 innocent people had been murdered by other terrorists.
“Despite the carnage of 7 July, on 21 July the public responded courageously, and without thought for their own safety.”
