This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51583815
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
St Paul's bomb plot: IS supporter Safiyya Shaikh pleads guilty | St Paul's bomb plot: IS supporter Safiyya Shaikh pleads guilty |
(32 minutes later) | |
A supporter of the banned Islamic State terror group has admitted plotting to blow herself up in a bomb attack on St Paul's Cathedral. | A supporter of the banned Islamic State terror group has admitted plotting to blow herself up in a bomb attack on St Paul's Cathedral. |
Safiyya Shaikh, of Hayes, west London, went on a reconnaissance trip to scope out the London landmark and a hotel. | Safiyya Shaikh, of Hayes, west London, went on a reconnaissance trip to scope out the London landmark and a hotel. |
The 36-year-old, born Michelle Ramsden, was arrested after asking an undercover police officer to supply bombs. | The 36-year-old, born Michelle Ramsden, was arrested after asking an undercover police officer to supply bombs. |
At the Old Bailey she admitted preparing an act of terrorism and will be sentenced in May. | At the Old Bailey she admitted preparing an act of terrorism and will be sentenced in May. |
Over the two months before her arrest in October 2019, Shaikh built up a relationship with two undercover officers who were posing as a husband and wife extremist team. | Over the two months before her arrest in October 2019, Shaikh built up a relationship with two undercover officers who were posing as a husband and wife extremist team. |
She messaged one of them via an encrypted social media app. | She messaged one of them via an encrypted social media app. |
'Bomb under the dome' | 'Bomb under the dome' |
"I want to kill a lot," she told the officer. "I would like to do church... a day like Christmas or Easter good, kill more. | "I want to kill a lot," she told the officer. "I would like to do church... a day like Christmas or Easter good, kill more. |
"I always send threats. But I want to make threats real." | "I always send threats. But I want to make threats real." |
She sent a picture of St Paul's Cathedral to the officer and wrote: "I would like to do this place for sure. | She sent a picture of St Paul's Cathedral to the officer and wrote: "I would like to do this place for sure. |
"I would like bomb and shoot 'til death... I really would love to destroy that place and the kaffir [enemies of IS] there." | |
Just over a week later she visited St Paul's and sent videos to her contact, writing: "I will to the bomb under the dome. | Just over a week later she visited St Paul's and sent videos to her contact, writing: "I will to the bomb under the dome. |
"I will also do something in hotel, then church, then kill til I'm dead." | "I will also do something in hotel, then church, then kill til I'm dead." |
Prosecutors say she gave two bags which she wanted to be fitted with homemade bombs to the female undercover officer. | Prosecutors say she gave two bags which she wanted to be fitted with homemade bombs to the female undercover officer. |
You may also be interested in: | |
Shaikh converted to Islam in 2007 after being impressed by the kindness of her Muslim neighbours but later became isolated and apparently rejected mainstream Islam. | Shaikh converted to Islam in 2007 after being impressed by the kindness of her Muslim neighbours but later became isolated and apparently rejected mainstream Islam. |
She began to court the extremist violent ideology of IS and other jihadist groups and by 2016, fearful that worshippers and imams were concerned about her extremist views, Shaikh stopped attending mosques. | She began to court the extremist violent ideology of IS and other jihadist groups and by 2016, fearful that worshippers and imams were concerned about her extremist views, Shaikh stopped attending mosques. |
She was also reported to the government's Prevent programme,. | She was also reported to the government's Prevent programme,. |
Shaikh admitted the preparation of terrorist acts and dissemination of terrorist publications. | |
The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, ordered pre-sentence reports ahead of sentencing on May 12. |