Date: 13 June 2008
Terror campaign postman receives four year prison sentence.
Operation Ryan finally concluded today, six years after the long series of offences began, as Jefferson Azevedo was given a four year prison sentence at Southwark Crown Court.
Mr Azevedo pleaded guilty to 19 charges at a court hearing on June 5, relating to planting a hoax bomb on a bridge over the A27, sending packages containing white powder, and sending racially motivated hate mail.
He also agreed for a further 140 offences of a similar nature to be taken into consideration.
Detective Inspector John Geden, who has overseen the investigation said: "We are very pleased that today's sentence brings to an end a long and complex investigation that has incorporated many different organisations, spread across various counties, and has required the skill and dedication of a large number of officers.
"I think this case conveys a strong message that as a police service we will not tolerate racist behaviour in any form, and will maintain our commitment in protecting the public and ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable members of our society. This is true even in complex and long term cases, such as the one we have seen here today.
"The aggrieved parties targeted by Mr Azavedo ranged from companies and schools to individuals, and each of these were affected by his actions, some more deeply than others, but affected just the same. Each of those involved have supported the police investigation and therefore played their part in reaching today's conclusion.
"I would like to thank all my colleagues in Hampshire Constabulary, the Crown Prosecution Service, the National Domestic Extremism Team and the Forensic Science Service, who have worked on this case. It has been a long journey, with incidents spanning a number of years, during which there has been a commendable and unending commitment to achieving justice."
