Religious teacher 'who plotted Isis-inspired attacks on London had large kitchen knife in car when arrested’

Court artist sketch of Umar Haque
PA
Patrick Grafton-Green29 January 2018
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A religious teacher had a large kitchen knife stashed in his car when he was arrested for plotting Isis-inspired attacks on London, a court has heard.

Umar Haque, 25, is accused of planning to strike landmarks including Big Ben and Westfield shopping centre in 2016 and early 2017.

The Old Bailey has heard how he groomed and trained youngsters for terrorism at the Ripple Road mosque in Barking, east London, while swearing them to secrecy.

Haque also recruited Abuthaher Mamun, 19, Muhammad Abid, 27, and Nadeem Patel, 26, to help with his plans through the mosque, the court has heard.

Met Police handout photo of Umar Haque's address, which was shown to the court today
PA

When police swooped to arrest Haque in May last year, they searched his home in Windsor Road, Forest Gate, east London and car parked nearby.

Jurors were shown pictures of a sharp-tipped kitchen knife which had been wrapped in newspaper.

The package from behind centre console panelling in the front passenger footwell of Haque's Ford Focus
PA

They were told it had been hidden behind the central console in the passenger footwell of Haque's Ford Focus.

Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC told the court that officers also recovered YouTube videos on how to make explosives from Haque's devices.

A photo of the knife unpackaged, which was shown to the court today
PA

In one of the videos played to the jury, an American man showed how to make explosive powder from everyday items before shooting at it with a rifle, and shouting: "Now that's what I call an explosion."

Islamic State propaganda was retrieved during the search of Haque's computer and memory sticks, the court heard.

Police handout photo of the front seats of Haque's Ford Focus
PA

An orange notebook containing handwritten notes was shown to the jury.

The first page had a handwritten 21-point list with references to the "benefits of martyrdom", the court heard.

On the next page was a four-point list which included "purchase silah (arms or weapons), "purchase a van" and "development recruitment pack - USBs", jurors heard.

Haque has already admitted having records likely to be useful to a terrorist and a further charge of dissemination of a terrorist publication.

He and Mamun are accused of preparing acts of terrorism between March 25 and May 18 2017.

Haque is further charged with preparing terrorist acts by leading exercises in physical training and "role play" with children and dissemination of terrorist publications.

Abid is accused of having information about Haque's plans and Patel is charged with plotting with Haque to possess a firearm or imitation firearm.

The defendants, who all lived in east London, have denied these charges.

Patel has admitted possessing a prohibited weapon.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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