Davina Frost, a 28-year-old mother from Sheldon, Birmingham, admitted making a bomb hoax after threatening to blow up a primary school, forcing nearly 400 children into lockdown. The incident occurred on September 17 last year, when Frost sent a series of ranting messages to the school, branding staff 'silly p*****' and threatening to smash windows and plant a bomb in the playground.
School Lockdown and Police Response
The school, which has not been named, immediately activated 'evacuation mode' and contacted the police. All 379 students and 40 staff were made to go indoors with doors closed while officers searched the premises. The headteacher later held an assembly to reassure pupils, some of whom were upset, and a letter was sent to parents.
Prosecutor Shahan Mir told Birmingham Crown Court that the school had previously conducted welfare checks on Frost due to her mental health needs and her children's non-attendance. On the day of the threat, police officers attended for a welfare check at the school's request, which made Frost 'livid'. She sent messages repeating that staff were 'silly p*****' and said she would smash windows and put a bomb in the school. One message read: 'Bomb planted in the school playground it will happen I promise.'
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Frost was arrested and made additional comments about 'blowing up the school' as well as racial remarks to officers, though she was not charged separately for those. She confessed in interview and initially agreed to a caution, but later failed to comply with conditions and was charged.
Defence lawyer Pierre de Garis said Frost was 'substantially unwell' with mental health issues at the time and was consuming cannabis, but has since improved with medication changes and support services. He described her as 'a young lady entirely focused on not only her future but the future of her children'.
Judge Peter Cooke described the case as 'wholly exceptional' and spared Frost jail, imposing a 16-month suspended sentence. He noted that the school knew Frost was a 'troubled young woman' and that her threats were likely 'venting', but the school had no choice but to treat them seriously. He added that Frost was 'extremely unwell and not in a position to regulate your emotional reactions' and that punishment was inappropriate given her unstable mental state and pregnancy.
Mental Health Treatment and Conditions
Frost was ordered to complete up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities and a nine-month mental health treatment requirement. She was also spared a fine, as the judge said her 'means should be devoted to the care of your children'. Judge Cooke reserved any breaches of the sentence to himself and warned Frost he would not hesitate to send her to prison if necessary.
