A would-be terrorist who attempted to carry a pipe bomb on to a flight at Manchester Airport has today been jailed for 18 years.

Nadeem Muhammad was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for possessing an explosive with intent to endanger life after a pipe bomb was found in his hand l

Muhammad, 43, was attempting to board a Ryanair flight to Bergamo, Italy  on January 30 when security officers found the device, made from batteries, tape, a marker pen and pins. 

When the object was swabbed there was no trace of explosive on the outside and officers did not believe it was a viable device.

It was only after further forensic examination weeks later that it was found to be dangerous and Muhammad was charged with a bomb plot.

CCTV shows Muhammad, wearing a dark parka coat and jeans, stroll between crowds of other passengers as he gets off a shuttle and walks through the airport's entrance.

Muhammad was found guilty of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life at Manchester Crown Court. Judge Field said he had been 'alarmed by some of the evidence in the case.'

He said: 'In these dangerous times it seems to me there's no room for complacency.

'I express hope that security at the airport and policing at the airport will be subject to a review at the highest level.'

The court had heard that airport staff swabbed the device, which was later found to contain nitroglycerin, but found no trace of explosive and terminal three security manager Deborah Jeffrey initially put it into her pocket.

Judge Field added: 'It occurred to me and I'm sure to others listening to that evidence that by acting that way she put herself, her fellow employees and members of the public at risk.'

He said the situation was 'compounded' by police who accepted the assurance that the device was not viable and missed an 'early opportunity' to arrest Muhammad - who was allowed to board a flight to Italy five days later and another back to the UK before he was arrested on February 12. 

Earlier this month a jury reached a majority verdict of 10 to two on the charge following 15 hours and 45 minutes of deliberations.

During the trial it was revealed Muhammad was released shortly after being questioned by counter terrorism officers when the bomb was first found.

He was then allowed to board another flight to Bergamo, near Milan, five days later.

The court also heard Muhammad, who was born in Pakistan but had an Italian passport, was planning to detonate the bomb once on board the Boeing 737. 

Muhammad from Bury, Greater Manchester, was questioned by officers from the counter terrorism unit but released.

He returned to the airport the following day to collect his mobile phone, which had been taken by police, and then again on February 5 when he boarded another flight to Italy.

It was only on February 8 when the device was examined by forensics officers that suspicions were raised and the bomb squad was called.