Man Jailed For Life With a Minimum Term Of 12 Years For US Airmen Terror Attack Plans

Friday, 13 May 2016 17:00

Two men convicted of planning to travel to Syria to fight have now been sentenced.

Junead Khan, aged 25 and pictured left, and Shazib Khan, aged 23, were found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of planning to travel to Syria to join Daesh and fight. Junead Khan was also found guilty of preparing an act or acts of terrorism within the UK. Junead Khan a delivery driver from Luton was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 12 years, for plotting to kill a US airman outside a base in East Anglia after the court heard he used his job to scout US bases for potential victims.

The jury heard that between August 2014 and July 2015 the two men from Luton, who are nephew and uncle, made plans with the intention to travel abroad to fight. Shazib Khan was given an extended sentence of 13 years in prison and will have to serve eight years in custody.

However, towards the end of the time period, Junead Khan changed his mind and was involved in discussions with another relating to planning acts of terrorism in this country.

The two defendants shot a video as they drove around London, called 'ISIS drives around Westminster' which focused on locations such as Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, and the Cenotaph. When their address was searched a leaflet 'Terrorists or terrorised', a book called 'Guide to the Islamic State' and flags representing ISIL were found.

Junead Khan searched online how to make an improvised explosive device and roadside bombs and had digital copies of bomb making instructions in the form of extracts from an Al Qaida magazine. He made internet searches for 'specialist knives' and in July 2015 was in email contact with a supplier of a combat knife.

Sue Hemming, Head of Counter Terrorism Division, said: "Junead Khan was planning an attack in the UK and both of these men intended to travel to Syria and support terrorism. Even though they did not leave the country, they had spent a significant amount of time planning their journey.

"Through early detection and prosecution of these individuals more serious crimes have been avoided which could have had devastating consequences in the UK or Syria."

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