LONDON, Jan 31: A Muslim convert described as the “least cunning” terrorist ever to come before a British court was on Friday sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison for a bungled suicide nail bombing.

Nicky Reilly, who changed his name to Mohamed Saeed-Alim, accidentally detonated his homemade device in the toilets of a restaurant in Exeter, injuring only himself.

According to the Guardian, the 22-year-old was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to attempted murder and preparing an act of terrorism last May. The court was told that he acted alone, though he had been in contact over the internet with two

jihad supporters who had urged him to attack military rather than civilian targets.

After the case Debbie Simpson, the assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall, said efforts were being made to trace the Al Qaeda sympathisers. “We are in contact ... with the Pakistani authorities. We believe there is an association,” she said.

Saeed-Alim has Asperger’s syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder, it emerged. But the judge, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith, rejected defence applications for him to be transferred to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital for further assessment before sentencing. He declared that the defendant was aware of his actions and their consequences.

In mitigation, Kerim Fuad said Saeed-Alim might be deemed to be the least cunning person ever before a court for this type of offence. “His grandfather said he would struggle to change a lightbulb.”

The judge said: “The offence of attempted murder is aggravated by the fact that it was long planned, that it had multiple intended victims and was intended to terrorise the population of this country. It was sheer luck or chance that he did not succeed in his objectives.”

Saeed-Alim had intended running into the dining area with three bottles filled with caustic soda, kerosene, and nails strapped to his stomach, but became stuck in a toilet cubicle after one device exploded prematurely. The blast sent customers fleeing in panic as the bomber staggered out with serious injuries.