This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/01/anzac-day-terror-plot-likely-to-have-resulted-in-deaths-court-told

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Anzac Day terror plot was days from success, court hears Anzac Day terror plot was days from success, court hears
(34 minutes later)
A 14-year-old British boy who planned an Anzac Day “massacre” in Australia came within days of seeing his terror plot succeed, a court has heard.A 14-year-old British boy who planned an Anzac Day “massacre” in Australia came within days of seeing his terror plot succeed, a court has heard.
The youngster, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was radicalised by Islamic State propaganda, the court was told, after finding an online jihadi community through his first smartphone. The network “filled a void” caused by problems at school and at home as well as a degenerative eye condition.The youngster, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was radicalised by Islamic State propaganda, the court was told, after finding an online jihadi community through his first smartphone. The network “filled a void” caused by problems at school and at home as well as a degenerative eye condition.
Within two weeks of setting up a Twitter account, the boy had 24,000 followers as he constructed a fantasy image of himself and “quickly became a celebrity” within the jihadi Twitter community.Within two weeks of setting up a Twitter account, the boy had 24,000 followers as he constructed a fantasy image of himself and “quickly became a celebrity” within the jihadi Twitter community.
Thought to be the UK’s youngest terrorist, he plotted an attack on an Anzac Day memorial parade in Melbourne in April from the bedroom of his parents’ suburban home.Thought to be the UK’s youngest terrorist, he plotted an attack on an Anzac Day memorial parade in Melbourne in April from the bedroom of his parents’ suburban home.
Over nine days in March this year he took on the role of “organiser and adviser” to an alleged Australian jihadi named Sevdet Besim in a bid to murder police officers by beheading, Manchester crown court heard on Thursday. Over nine days in March this year he took on the role of “organiser and adviser” to an alleged Australian jihadi named Sevdet Besim in an attempt to murder police officers by beheading, Manchester crown court heard on Thursday.
His contact with Besim – during which more than 3,000 encrypted messages were exchanged – was instigated by a well-known Isis recruiter and propagandist named Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, also Australian, who has promoted the idea of terrorist attacks in his homeland, said the crown. His contact with Besim, 18 – during which more than 3,000 encrypted messages were exchanged – was instigated by a well-known Isis recruiter and propagandist named Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, also Australian, who has promoted the idea of terrorist attacks in his homeland, said the crown.
Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting, told the boy’s sentencing hearing: “There is no doubt that there was a determination on the part of the defendant and Sevdet Besim that the plot should be carried through and the contact between the two included frequent references to the production of a martyrdom video by Besim for al-Cambodi which, no doubt, al-Cambodi intended to use for propaganda purposes.Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting, told the boy’s sentencing hearing: “There is no doubt that there was a determination on the part of the defendant and Sevdet Besim that the plot should be carried through and the contact between the two included frequent references to the production of a martyrdom video by Besim for al-Cambodi which, no doubt, al-Cambodi intended to use for propaganda purposes.
“In the event, fortunately, the authorities here and in Australia intervened and a plot that would in all probability have resulted in a number of deaths was thwarted.”“In the event, fortunately, the authorities here and in Australia intervened and a plot that would in all probability have resulted in a number of deaths was thwarted.”
Within hours of first making contact the pair determined that the attack was to take place in Australia and discussed targeting police officers, said Greaney. In the early hours of 18 March, Besim suggested an attack on Anzac Day, the court heard.Within hours of first making contact the pair determined that the attack was to take place in Australia and discussed targeting police officers, said Greaney. In the early hours of 18 March, Besim suggested an attack on Anzac Day, the court heard.
The defendant wrote “Sounds good” and Besim allegedly replied: “Make sure the dogs remember this as well as their fallen ‘heroes’.”The defendant wrote “Sounds good” and Besim allegedly replied: “Make sure the dogs remember this as well as their fallen ‘heroes’.”
Greaney said: “Shortly after this exchange about Anzac Day, [the defendant] suggested that Besim should ‘break into someone’s house and get your first taste of beheading’.”Greaney said: “Shortly after this exchange about Anzac Day, [the defendant] suggested that Besim should ‘break into someone’s house and get your first taste of beheading’.”
On 19 March, the defendant allegedly said to Besim that he was going to present him with three options – a gun attack on the police, a car attack on the police or a knife attack on the police. Besim is said to have expressed a wish for a combination of a car and knife attack.On 19 March, the defendant allegedly said to Besim that he was going to present him with three options – a gun attack on the police, a car attack on the police or a knife attack on the police. Besim is said to have expressed a wish for a combination of a car and knife attack.
Messages discussing the weapons to be used followed and in the early hours of 23 March Besim said he was travelling with a machete, knife, Taser and a Shahada (martyrdom) flag in his car.Messages discussing the weapons to be used followed and in the early hours of 23 March Besim said he was travelling with a machete, knife, Taser and a Shahada (martyrdom) flag in his car.
When Besim sent him a photograph of a knife, the defendant replied: “Handle is perfect for tearing through throat.”When Besim sent him a photograph of a knife, the defendant replied: “Handle is perfect for tearing through throat.”
On 24 March, Besim allegedly messaged the defendant: “So far the plan is to run a cop over on the Anzac parade & then continue to kill a cop then take Ghanimah [booty] and run to Shahadah?”On 24 March, Besim allegedly messaged the defendant: “So far the plan is to run a cop over on the Anzac parade & then continue to kill a cop then take Ghanimah [booty] and run to Shahadah?”
The defendant responded: “Ill give orders soon but it’s looking along that line.”The defendant responded: “Ill give orders soon but it’s looking along that line.”
The following day the defendant told Besim to make sure he was shot during the attack.The following day the defendant told Besim to make sure he was shot during the attack.
Besim replied: “I feel like a young kid with a ticket to disney world cant wait ahahah. Yeh I wanna make sure I get shot to. Not b4 I take out at least 1 [sic].”Besim replied: “I feel like a young kid with a ticket to disney world cant wait ahahah. Yeh I wanna make sure I get shot to. Not b4 I take out at least 1 [sic].”
Hours later the defendant was under arrest and his phone in the possession of the police after concerns had been raised about his extremist behaviour at school, where classmates had nicknamed him “the terrorist”.Hours later the defendant was under arrest and his phone in the possession of the police after concerns had been raised about his extremist behaviour at school, where classmates had nicknamed him “the terrorist”.
On 15 April, Besim allegedly conducted further internet research on the Anzac Day parade, including in relation to a particular road.On 15 April, Besim allegedly conducted further internet research on the Anzac Day parade, including in relation to a particular road.
Three days later – a week before the parade – Besim was arrested and found to be in possession of a knife, the court heard.Three days later – a week before the parade – Besim was arrested and found to be in possession of a knife, the court heard.
Knives and a large Shahada flag were recovered from his home, with a phone that contained a martyrdom message.Knives and a large Shahada flag were recovered from his home, with a phone that contained a martyrdom message.
Greaney said: “The position of the prosecution is that a major terrorist plot in its late stages, orchestrated from the north of England but to be carried out in Melbourne, had been thwarted.”Greaney said: “The position of the prosecution is that a major terrorist plot in its late stages, orchestrated from the north of England but to be carried out in Melbourne, had been thwarted.”
The court heard that the defendant had told a psychiatrist in custody that he was convinced that if the police had not disrupted his activities “a massacre would have occurred”, which means he “would become notorious”.The court heard that the defendant had told a psychiatrist in custody that he was convinced that if the police had not disrupted his activities “a massacre would have occurred”, which means he “would become notorious”.
James Pickup QC, representing the defendant, questioned the prosecution argument that his client was the driving influence behind the plans. He said the Australian was already radicalised and fully aware of jihadi ideology.James Pickup QC, representing the defendant, questioned the prosecution argument that his client was the driving influence behind the plans. He said the Australian was already radicalised and fully aware of jihadi ideology.
Pickup said: “It is apparent that [the defendant] provided no more than emotional support, guidance to a limited degree, to someone who was well versed in the preparation of terrorist attacks.”Pickup said: “It is apparent that [the defendant] provided no more than emotional support, guidance to a limited degree, to someone who was well versed in the preparation of terrorist attacks.”
The smartly dressed and bespectacled teenager, now 15, watched the proceedings from the dock, flanked by his parents. His mother cried when the court discussed possible sentencing terms.The smartly dressed and bespectacled teenager, now 15, watched the proceedings from the dock, flanked by his parents. His mother cried when the court discussed possible sentencing terms.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in July to inciting terrorism overseas. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in July to inciting terrorism overseas. Mr Justice Saunders will sentence him on Friday. Besim is awaiting trial in Australia next year.
Mr Justice Saunders will sentence him on Friday. Pickup said the defendant had made considerable progress at the specialist unit where he is being held. He told the judge: “He accepts his crimes were barbaric, immoral and wholly wrong.”
He said the boy was now studying for GCSEs and taking part in group activities, like football, which he never did before. He said there was a “clear contrast between his ‘then’ behaviour and his ‘now’ behaviour”.