A New York man has been sentenced to prison for making numerous bomb hoax calls targeting various venues in London. David Hart, a 22-year-old from West Winfield, New York, placed 95 calls to UK numbers over a three-week period. These calls primarily took place between late October and mid-November 2023.
Series of Threatening Calls
Hart directed 66 of these calls to London-based venues, including hospitals and entertainment establishments. The calls resulted in significant disturbances for the responders and affected venues.
- Seven hospitals, including Guy’s and St Thomas’, were among the victims.
- Additionally, six bars, restaurants, and supermarkets were targeted.
- Two police control rooms and a cancer support center also received threats.
- Hart attempted to reach Westminster Abbey, but no answers were received due to the time difference.
Details of the Sentencing
In November 2025, David Hart was sentenced to a year in prison by the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. He will also undergo two years of supervised release following his prison term.
Nature of the Threats
During his calls, Hart made alarming claims about bombs placed at various locations. He warned recipients of imminent explosions, saying things like, “I put a bomb in your guys’ corridor bathroom” and that they had “about 12 seconds to get out of that building.”
The Metropolitan Police reported that many calls connected, though not all of them did. Some calls were lengthy, reportedly lasting almost half an hour. Hart frequently called the same individuals multiple times, creating a sustained sense of fear.
Impact of the Hoaxes
In several instances, the authorities took precautionary actions. Venues were searched thoroughly, and at least one hospital went into full lockdown while searches for explosives were conducted.
Hart later stated in a video shared by the Metropolitan Police that he had made numerous prank calls but insisted that nothing threatening was intended. However, the nature of his calls resulted in serious disruptions and fear among those targeted.
