A PATIENT stopped a would-be hospital attacker from setting off a device twice as powerful as the Boston Marathon bomb, a court heard.
Nathan Newby, 33, was outside smoking when he saw 28-year-old Mohammed Farooq pacing up and down.
The alleged terror plotter was carrying a rucksack containing a pressure-cooker bomb.
In a car parked nearby he stashed two knives, black tape and an imitation firearm, the jury was told.
He modelled his device on the 2013 Boston Marathon bomb, which killed three, but packed it with twice as much explosive.
Farooq allegedly planned to detonate it after texting a bomb threat in the hope it would spark an evacuation before knifing survivors.
He then intended to use the blank-firing pistol to provoke armed police into killing him, Sheffield crown court was told.
When inpatient Mr Newby saw him he realised something was amiss and began chatting to Farooq — who confessed his plan for murder.
Mr Newby also persuaded him to move away from the main entrance to St James’s Hospital in Leeds and to hand over his phone so he could call police.
Farooq, who worked at the hospital as a clinical support worker, admits possessing an explosive substance, terror documents and firearms offences.
But Farooq, of Leeds, denies preparing acts of terrorism. The trial continues.
