19/08/2008

British Terrorist 'Cyber Groomer' Jailed

A British "cyber groomer" has been sentenced to 12 years after recruiting a schoolboy to a "worldwide" holy war against non-Muslims.

Aabid Hussain Khan and Sultan Muhammad, both 23, were found guilty of possessing a computer "encyclopaedia" of extremist material.

Khan, of Otley Road, Undercliffe, Bradford, was also found to possess a file on various members of the Royal family and was found guilty of three counts of possessing articles for a purpose connected with terrorism.

Muhammad, of Hanover Square, Manningham, was handed a 10-year prison term.

Khan enrolled Muhammed Munshi in his so called 'mission of life' - the destruction of Western values and the 'wiping out' of non believers.

He also arranged for those he recruited to travel to Pakistan for terrorism training.

The teenager was 16 and in the middle of his GCSEs when he was arrested on his way home from school in 2006.

London's Blackfriars Crown Court heard he had two bags of ball-bearings in his pockets and notes about martyrdom under his bed.

It is understood the student also downloaded detailed instructions about making napalm, detonators, and grenades and 'how to kill'.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has branded all three a "very real threat" following their convictions.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Parkinson, Head of the Leeds Counter Terrorism Unit said that the men "sought to incite others for terrorist purposes, prompting al Qaeda ideology and training programmes".

Police said that Khan and Muhammad possessed "some of the most significant propaganda videos released by al Qaeda".

Munshi, now 18, of Greenwood Street, Saville Town, is due to be sentenced next month.

(DS)

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