Muslim convert plotted to smash hired van into Oxford Street shoppers
A WHITE Muslim convert radicalised by Anjem Choudary is facing jail after admitting a plot to mow down 100 shoppers.
Lewis Ludlow, 26, tried to rope in other ‘wolves’ to carry out the deadly vehicle rampage on London targets including Madame Tussauds and St Paul’s Cathedral because he had never learned to drive as he was ‘scared of crashing’.
The former disciple of jailed hate preacher Choudary considered a range of targets as he hoped to kill more than 100 tourists and shoppers in Oxford Street, the Old Bailey heard. Chillingly, the former Royal Mail worker from Rochester who called himself ‘The Eagle’ researched when would be the ‘busiest time’ for maximum carnage.
The Islamic State recruit asked a jihadi in Syria to send him a ‘wolf’ to drive the truck after confessing that he did not have a driving licence.
‘Driving isn’t easy. Only reason why I never learnt is because it’s expensive plus a bit scared of crashing,’ he said.
Despite this apparent stumbling block, Ludlow appeared to be advanced in his planning, anti-terror officers found. The fanatic, who used the alias Ali Hussain, made a video declaring his allegiance to IS with a brown hood over his face, jokingly referring to himself as ‘Obi Wan Husrealistic seinobi’, in reference to the Star Wars character.
Police recovered torn handwritten notes saying: ‘Potential attack sites: Madame Tussauds, Oxford street – busiest time between 11-12, particularly Fridays – St Paul’s Cathedral.’
A second note said: ‘Crowded London Areas: Oxford Street – long road with no bollards or barriers preventing a van mounting the pavement. Busiest time is between 11am-12pm with Saturday being the busiest day.
‘Wolf should either use a ram attack or use the truck to maximise death.
‘It is a busy street, it is ideal for an attack. It is expected nearly 100 could be killed in the attack.’
Ludlow had taken photographs of Oxford Street that included the Disney Store.
He had even looked at the cost of van hire and hotels for the truck driver to stay the night before the attack. He wrote: ‘The wolf can stay for one or two nights before the attack cost is £103-£105… goals should be to hit double figures (casualties).’
Ludlow also set up a fake Facebook profile for an antiques store in order to raise funds for IS.
The account called ‘Antique Collections’ appeared to be a legitimate business based in Maidstone. But in reality the cash was destined for the Philippines, where IS is trying to set up a new base.
Ludlow’s passport was removed by police in February to stop him travelling there, prompting him to begin planning an attack in Britain. He was already known to police after attending rallies of Choudary’s banned group alMuhajiroun in 2010. Ludlow was seen there with Michael Adebowale, one of the men who went on to kill Fusilier Lee Rigby outside Woolwich Barracks.
Astonishingly, the British-born convert who grew up in a £250,000 semi-detached former council house was once a neo-Nazi who idolised Hitler and ‘hated black people, Asian and Arabs’. He made an extraordinary YouTube video in March 2011 rambling about how he became a ‘fascist’ at the age of 15.
Ludlow converted to Islam after falling under the spell of Choudary, who was jailed in 2016 for urging support for IS.
Yesterday Ludlow admitted one count of engaging in preparation of terrorist acts and one count of arranging money for acts of terrorism. He appeared in court via video link from HMP Belmarsh, and was remanded in custody until sentencing on November 2.
‘Maximise death’