Didsbury man who threatened to blow himself up at King Charles III’s coronation sentenced

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced after making threats to take his van to the King’s coronation and blow himself up.

Richard Jackson of Brixton Avenue, Didsbury, made the threats in several comments on a live feed on TikTok on 4 May 2023, just two days before the coronation.

Jackson pleaded guilty at the first appearance to sending an electronic communication which conveyed a threat.

In interview he explained that he has no means or intention to carry out his threat and was merely trying to get a reaction from others on the platform.

Following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police and the Counter Terrorism Unit, it was confirmed that Jackson was not in possession of any substances that could be used to carry out his threat, nor did he have a van.

Jackson was sentenced at Manchester City Magistrates Court on 21 June 2023 to a 12-month community order and he must complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Louise Hartley, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Richard Jackson made several comments on TikTok that amounted to threatening to blow himself up at the coronation.

“Jackson didn’t get the reaction he was looking for, instead he found himself before the court.

“I hope in future he will think twice before commenting on social media.”