Luton Men Found Guilty Of Terror Offences

One of the men, Junead Khan, a supporter of so-called Islamic State, was found guilty of preparing terrorist acts by plotting to kill a US airman.

A 25-year-old man who repeatedly rejected police offers to help divert him from radicalism faces jail after his plots to kill soldiers in the UK was uncovered.

Junead Khan from Luton, (pictured on the left) was found guilty of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, today, Friday, 1 April at Kingston Crown Court.

Shazib Khan, 23 from Luton, although younger is the uncle of Junead Khan, he was also found guilty of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts for making plans to travel to Syria and fight alongside Daesh.

The court heard how local Prevent engagement officers from Bedfordshire Police visited Junead Khan four times in 2014, to try and encourage him away from extremism following referrals from statutory agencies.

Junead Khan refused help and instead became more embroiled in extremism, liaising with someone police believe to be a fighter for Daesh, and plotting acts of terrorism.

Following a joint MI5 and Met Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) investigation, specialist police detectives arrested the delivery driver and Junead Khan for their terrorist plans.

Upon arresting Junead and Shazib Khan on 14, July 2015, detectives searched a number of addresses and vehicles linked to the pair and seized phones, laptops and numerous documents.

The evidence they collated painted an alarming picture of the Shazib Khan's intention to fight alongside Daesh and, in Junead Khan's case, to attack US soldiers based in the UK.

Specifically, he intended to stage a road accident to draw soldiers out of their car, before attacking them with knives and potentially detonating a homemade bomb.

Digital forensic analysts sifted through around 64,000 files from Junead Khan's three computers, recovering deleted documents. These included bomb making guides and terrorist propaganda.

From his phone, they retrieved crucial evidence, including his conversations with the suspected terrorist in Syria, who offered to help Junead Khan locate soldiers to target.

In one chilling message, Junead Khan told the suspected Daesh member how he had missed an opportunity to kill US Soldiers on his rounds as a delivery driver in Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire: "When I saw these US soldiers on road it just looked simple but I had nothing on me or would've got into an accident with them and made them get out the car."

His contact replied, "That's what the brother done with Lee Rigby" - referring to the murder of the British fusilier near army barracks in 2013.

Police officers also recovered British and US flags stolen from a diner in Dunstable - they believe these were potentially to be used for a symbolic act during the terrorist attack.

SO15 painstakingly trawled through approximately 66,000 text messages, social media messages and emails to piece together how the Khans planned to travel to Syria.

The pair spoke of "jihad" training and in one message to an unidentified person, Shazib Khan talked of becoming a martyr: "I've always had that dream to become shaheed [Muslim martyr] on the path of Allah."

The pair shared graphic videos and images of soldiers being tortured and killed by Daesh, and sought advice on how to travel to Daesh-dominated territory in Syria. Junead compiled lists of combat gear he would need for his life in Syria and sent Shazib Khan pictures of himself posing in front of a flag.

In May 2014, following a number of visits by the Prevent engagement officer, Junead Khan told Shazib Khan: "They trying to stop me from becoming a extremist or terrorist lool". [Sic.] Shazib replied "That crack me up."

Today, the jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts. The men are scheduled to be sentenced on Friday 13, May at Kingston Crown Court.

Commander Dean Haydon, head of SO15, said: "Junead Khan faces years in prison for the atrocious acts he planned.

"Around a year before his arrest, local officers reached out to him. They offered to help him follow a positive life path. Junead Khan's refusal spiralled into extremism and plotting acts of terrorism.

"Counter terrorism officers will take every step to stop and prosecute those who plan such acts of terrorism in the UK to keep the public safe.

"I urge anyone who is drawn to a life of extremism or is concerned about a loved one to seek advice and help by visiting the Prevent Tragedies website or contacting specially trained officers by calling 101."

Detective Superintendent Piers Dingermans, from the Eastern Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit, said: "A Prevent officer visited Junead Khan on several occasions however he would not engage so we were unable to pursue any intervention work to tackle his extreme views and radicalisation. Unfortunately those extreme views continued and escalated.

"This case clearly shows the consequences for those who turn down the opportunities to work with police and partner agencies and continue their path into extremism. If Junead Khan had engaged with Prevent we could well have stopped him from becoming fully radicalised and he might not now be facing a lengthy spell behind bars."