A retired electrical engineer who detonated explosives at an ultra-low emission zone camera in south-east London has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after a judge ruled his actions had a terrorism connection.
Kevin Rees, 63, set off the device at a Ulez camera on Wellesley Avenue in Sidcup at approximately 18:45 GMT on 6 December 2023, according to BBC News. The blast sent shrapnel flying as far as 100 metres, striking vehicles and residential properties. Debris landed near a child’s bedroom window.
Rees, who lives on Harcourt Avenue in Sidcup, was convicted in January at Woolwich Crown Court of causing an explosion likely to endanger life. During his trial, he openly admitted his strong opposition to the Ulez expansion and to the Mayor of London, Lord Sadiq Khan.
Terrorism connection increases sentence
Judge Anthony Bate, delivering the sentence at the Old Bailey, determined that the crime carried a terrorism connection. This classification results in a longer custodial term and stricter conditions upon Rees’s eventual release, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Derham, who oversees policing in the Bexley area, said it was “miraculous that nobody was killed or seriously injured in the large explosion”. He added that Rees “showed a complete disregard for the welfare and safety of the people who live in, or were travelling through, the area at the time of the explosion – all because he was unhappy with the Ulez scheme.”
The court heard that Rees drove his Smart car from his home to Shuttle Close, where a Ulez camera had been installed earlier the same day before being cut down in an unrelated incident. He placed the explosive device on the camera and ignited a fuse before leaving the scene.
Explosives and weapons found at home
Rees was arrested on 18 December 2023, less than two weeks after the explosion. Counter-terror officers who searched his property discovered chemicals capable of being used to manufacture explosives. They also found stud guns, classified as prohibited weapons. Rees received an additional three-year sentence for possessing these weapons, to run concurrently with the main term.
Throughout the investigation and trial, Rees denied involvement. He told the jury he believed his arrest stemmed from his activity in anti-Ulez groups on Facebook. Police discovered posts he had made encouraging the vandalism of Ulez cameras. When officers detained him, Rees asked whether his arrest had “something to do with the anti-Ulez sites”, describing his expectation of action by what he called “the so-called Facebook police”.
Siwan Hayward, Transport for London’s director of security, policing and enforcement, described the incident as “a reckless and highly dangerous act that could have caused serious harm and resulted in the loss of life.” She emphasised that tampering with or damaging TfL property “is unacceptable and seriously risks the safety of the public”, adding that all such incidents are reported to police and “will not stop the Ulez operating”.
What this means for Poles in the UK
The case underscores the serious legal consequences of damaging public infrastructure in the UK, particularly when actions endanger lives. Any criminal activity linked to a political or ideological motive – even opposition to a traffic scheme – can be classified as terrorism-related, leading to significantly harsher sentences and post-release monitoring.
For drivers in London, including members of the Polish community, the Ulez scheme remains in force across all boroughs. Non-compliant vehicles are subject to a £12.50 daily charge. Anyone experiencing financial difficulty can explore exemptions, grace periods or the scrappage scheme via the Transport for London website. Residents should be aware that vandalism or interference with Ulez cameras is a criminal offence that will be prosecuted, and as this case demonstrates, violent acts carry severe penalties including lengthy prison terms.
