A Briton who falsely claimed a chemical bomb had been planted in New York's Times Square, sparking street closures and evacuations, was jailed for four years yesterday.

Jamal Ahmed, 20, contacted US officials from his home in High Wycombe, west of London, in July last year, saying a bomb had been planted at "Frankie's" in Manhattan.

US authorities evacuated buildings around Frankie and Johnnie's steakhouse, the presumed target, and a large number of security officials were sent to the scene.

The next day Mr Ahmed made a hoax call to Britain's Home Office (interior ministry) saying he had information about a chemical explosive device in London. In both calls he claimed to be working for an overseas intelligence agency.

Mr Ahmed, who said he was under the influence of cannabis and had been bored, admitted two counts of communicating false information that a bomb was to go off and was jailed for a total of four years at Aylesbury Crown Court.

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