Islamic convert arrested after restaurant blast

By Jeremy Lovell

LONDON (Reuters) - An Islamic convert with a history of mental illness was slightly injured by his own bomb in an explosion at lunchtime in a busy restaurant in Exeter on Thursday, police said.

Nicky Reilly, 22, was arrested and taken to hospital after the small explosion in a branch of the family-orientated Giraffe restaurant chain in the centre of Exeter.

Although limited in scope, the attack was a reminder of earlier bombings and attempted bombings in Britain, given the arrested man's Islamic links.

Reilly was the only person injured in the latest attack, and little damage was reported from the explosion in the restaurant's toilets. Police later discovered and disarmed another device nearby.

"Our investigations so far indicate Reilly, who has a history of mental illness, had adopted the Islamic faith," said Tony Melville, deputy chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police.

"We believe, despite his weak and vulnerable state, he was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of."

The blast happened shortly before 1 p.m. at the Giraffe restaurant in Exeter's Princesshay shopping centre.

Police said Reilly suffered cuts to his eyes and burns to his face, but his injuries were not life threatening.