CHRISTINE Connor sniggered in the dock as details of an explosion caused by an improvised device she threw at police were read out in court yesterday.
The bomb landed at the feet of an officer who dived for cover before it rained shrapnel down on the surrounding area.
Despite Belfast Crown Court hearing she had shown some remorse, The Irish News understands that Connor attempted to change her guilty plea in the cells below less than an hour before her sentencing.
Described as a 'lone wolf' dissident bomber, she was told she will serve at least half of her term of 16 years and four months in prison, with Parole Commissioners deciding then if she can be released.
Connor had rung 999 claiming to be a victim of domestic violence before throwing a pipe bomb-type device at police attending the emergency call-out in one of two bombing attempts in May 2013.
One of the officers described how he "tripped and fell" as the bomb exploded, before running into an alleyway for cover.
"I remember the noise was deafening and there was a lot of smoke".
Connor covered her mouth and sniggered as the description of the explosion was read to the court.
The 31-year-old had used a fake Facebook profile with pictures of a Swedish model to lure an accomplice, Stuart Downes, into helping her.
Described by Justice McFarland as "pathetic and vulnerable", the Englishman took his own life close to his Shrewsbury home last June before the case reached trial.
A second man, Zachary Gevelinger, had also made contact with Connor online and sent her money for 'United Struggle', her one-woman group.
He also died by suicide in a hotel close to his home in Dodgeville, Wisconsin last month.
While police believe Connor was not a member of any dissident organisation at the time, in an article posted online while on bail she described herself as a 'republican POW'.
Speaking after the sentencing, Det Supt Richard Campbell described her as "a dangerous woman who exploited others to further her own twisted ideologies".
Police released mobile phone footage Connor had filmed of her explaining how she planned to carry out the attack. Warning - video contains strong language.
