Trial of Shepherd's Bush Terror Suspects Starts at Old Bailey

---

Court hears of ISIS inspired plot involving local police station and barracks

The trial of four men from West London alleged to have been planning an ISIS inspired attack on soldiers, police and civilians in Shepherd's Bush has begun at the Old Bailey.

The jury heard that the men had bought a gun and ammunition, and intended to buy an untraceable moped in order to carry out one or more drive by shootings.

Their online "hostile reconnaissance" of potential targets included Shepherd's Bush Police Station and White City Territorial Army Barracks in South Africa Road.

Opening the case, prosecutor Brian Altman QC said police scuppered murderous plans borne out of a "warped ideology" to kill when they arrested the men in the autumn of 2014.

The men - Nathan Cuffy, 26, from London; Nyall Hamlett, 25, of Great Western Road W2; Suhaib Majeed, 21, of Church Street Estate NW8 and trainee doctor Tarik Hassane, 23, from Dalgarno Way, W10 - deny conspiracy to murder and preparing terrorist acts.

Hassane, who was studying in Sudan at the time of the initial arrests was alleged to have been leading the plot, having pledged allegiance to the Islamic Stage group. The court heard that the plot received "important direct and authoritative encouragement" in September 2014 when ISIS' official spokesman issued a fatwa to kill disbelievers in the West.

Hassane allegedly issued instructions to Majeed, who was studying physics at King's College London at the time.

The jury was told police found four guns and ammunition in Cuffy's bedroom and he has pleaded guilty to firearms offences.

Hamlett, said to be the alleged "middle man" who passed on a weapon to Majeed, has admitted transferring the gun and ammunition.

Mr Altman said Hassane had used his iPad to search the Google Streetview photo-mapping service for Shepherd's Bush police station and the Parachute Regiment Territorial Army Barracks at White City.

Hassane and Majeed were discussing the purchase of a moped that could not be traced back to them, as well as a garage to store the moped and their weapon, he added.

Mr Altman said: "The evidence points to this being a plot to kill - a plot to execute a policeman or a soldier or, as I say, even an ordinary member of the public - in one or more assassinations either involving a drive-by shooting or a shooting on foot and then a speedy escape by moped."

Prosecutors said there are believed to be more people involved in the plot who are not on trial.

The trial continues.

 

January 18, 2016