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Blackburn student jailed for terrorism offences Blackburn student jailed for terrorism offences
(35 minutes later)
A student who tried to travel to Syria to fight for so-called Islamic State has been jailed for four years. A student said he was "brainwashed" as he was jailed after trying to travel to Syria to fight for so-called Islamic State.
Ednane Mahmood, from Blackburn, fled his home after stating his desire to "fight abroad for Allah".Ednane Mahmood, from Blackburn, fled his home after stating his desire to "fight abroad for Allah".
The 19-year-old was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court in November of planning acts of terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications.The 19-year-old was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court in November of planning acts of terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications.
He denied providing internet links to others with speeches and propaganda that encouraged acts of terrorism. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
Mahmood, who was studying Arabic at university, downloaded graphic videos, the court heard during his trial.Mahmood, who was studying Arabic at university, downloaded graphic videos, the court heard during his trial.
They included the beheading of aid worker David Haines, and charity volunteer Alan Henning kneeling on the ground after his kidnap.They included the beheading of aid worker David Haines, and charity volunteer Alan Henning kneeling on the ground after his kidnap.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said he posted an image on his Facebook page that contained the words: "I wish I could fight in the cause of Allah and then be killed, and then fight, and then be killed, and then fight, and then be killed." Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said he posted an image on Facebook that contained the words: "I wish I could fight in the cause of Allah and then be killed, and then fight, and then be killed, and then fight, and then be killed."
On 18 September 2014, he left his home to board a flight from Manchester Airport to Bulgaria, leaving a letter addressed "to family".On 18 September 2014, he left his home to board a flight from Manchester Airport to Bulgaria, leaving a letter addressed "to family".
The court heard his family was unaware of his intentions and, on the day he fled, reported him missing to police.The court heard his family was unaware of his intentions and, on the day he fled, reported him missing to police.
Mahmood travelled by bus to Turkey to a town near the Syrian border, GMP added.Mahmood travelled by bus to Turkey to a town near the Syrian border, GMP added.
He tried to contact a number of people asking for urgent help, including one man who he believed was fighting in Syria at the time.He tried to contact a number of people asking for urgent help, including one man who he believed was fighting in Syria at the time.
Mahmood's requests went unanswered and, following an exchange of messages with his family, he returned to the UK.Mahmood's requests went unanswered and, following an exchange of messages with his family, he returned to the UK.
During his defence, Mahmood claimed he wanted to "help the Syrian people" and had an interest in the country "from the beginning of the war, because of all the suffering". 'Barbaric forces'
Det Ch Supt Tony Mole, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "Prior to leaving the UK to try and gain entry to Syria, it was clear from Mahmood's actions that he was a strong supporter of the ISIS cause and was intent on joining this terrorist group in Syria. During his defence, he claimed he wanted to "help the Syrian people" and had an interest in the country "from the beginning of the war, because of all the suffering".
"He did not tell his family anything about his plans and once they learned of his whereabouts, they did everything they could to persuade him to come home." Ian McMeekin, defending, said that Mahmood had now disavowed the ideals of IS and accepted he had been "brainwashed" by its propaganda.
Sentencing him, Judge Michael Henshell said the defendant's research into the group became a "dangerous obsession".
He told Mahmood: "My assessment of you is you were and, to some extent, are a naive, unsophisticated individual who has so far lived a fairly sheltered life."
Praising his family, the judge added: "By their actions, they prevented you from taking an irrevocable step, which would have resulted in a victory for the barbaric forces that, as you say, had brainwashed you."