PRINCESSHAY bomber Nicky Reilly has abandoned plans to appeal against his sentence.

Reilly, of Plymouth, was given 18 years in prison for the attempted attack on The Giraffe restaurant in May 2008.

Reilly's family claimed his autism made him vulnerable, he was radicalised by Islamic militants and that the judge had showed him little mercy.

But now they have abandoned an appeal, fearing a new hearing could lead to him being given a longer sentence.

He is currently in Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital, where he is being assessed to determine whether he should serve his sentence in a hospital or prison.

Reilly pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to attempting to detonate bombs filled with about 500 nails.