'Feral existence' preceded bomber's entry to UK

BIRMINGHAM - Only their battered maroon Nissan car, parked erratically in the street outside, had drawn attention to the Somali inhabitants of 63 Heybarnes Rd, Birmingham, in recent months.

But the air of normality in this tree-lined street in the eastern suburbs lasted until 35 armed police arrived at the door of the three-bed semi-detached house.

Residents were awoken at 4.30am (Wednesday night NZT) to the sounds of shouting and banging. Once inside, officers from West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist branch found Yasin Hassan Omar, who police believe attempted to blow himself up in a packed Tube train at Warren St station, London, a week ago.

They located him in the bathroom wearing a rucksack, according to one local police source.

The Mirror newspaper claimed Omar yelled: "Get back or I'll take you with me."

But the 24-year-old Omar was knocked down with a 50,000-volt charge from a Taser gun.

Ninety minutes later he was led from the house in a paper boiler suit, plastic handcuffs and plastic gloves.

Andrew Wilkinson, who lives opposite, said: "The guy was in his twenties, and looked Somalian. He bears a striking resemblance to one of the four guys linked to the terror attacks - the one with the darkest skin and curly hair [Omar]."

The trail to Heybarnes Rd possibly led from a flat at Curtis House, North London, where Omar has been the registered tenant since 1999, sharing the property with Muktar Said Ibrahim, who police believe tried to bomb the No 26 bus in Hackney, East London.

An hour after events began unfolding in Heybarnes Rd, several dozen officers - many armed and some with dogs - arrived at 59 Bankdale Rd, about 3km away.

There, three young men of east African appearance were led away, handcuffed, into unmarked cars.

Forensics officers emerged at 1pm carrying two large sealed bags.

Meanwhile, further details have emerged of Omar's background. A friend said Omar had lived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and had led a feral existence.

Jamal Mohammed, who met Omar during football games, said Omar had mixed with militia men during the conflict in Somalia.

"He was only a boy but he said they had fascinated him at the time with their guns.

"He said he had lived on the streets during the day, getting what food he could. Then his parents managed to send him to Britain."

- INDEPENDENT