The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Inquest hears terrorist involved in ‘extremist bullying’ while jailed
The Fishmongers’ Hall attacker was an “influential” inmate who associated with Fusilier Lee Rigby’s killer before his release, an inquest has heard.
Convicted terrorist Usman Khan, 28, spent eight years in prison, where he was involved in a string of violent incidents and “extremist bullying”, the inquest jury at London’s Guildhall was told.
Eleven months after his release, Khan killed Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, at a Learning Together prisoners’ educational event at Fishmongers’ Hall in London.
Beforehand, there had been discussion about the risks of Khan learning to drive a dumper truck, but not of him travelling to London to attend the event, jurors heard.
Yesterday, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Dan Brown gave evidence about Khan’s life and long history of extremism.
Born in Stoke-on-trent to parents who had come to the UK from Pakistan, at the age of 13 Khan was excluded from school after assaulting another pupil and exchanging racial slurs, for which he was given a youth reprimand, the court heard.
Khan was attracted to extreme Islam in his teens and took an interest in prominent figures Anwar Al-awlaki and Anjem Choudary, the leader of terrorist organisation almuhajiroun (ALM).
Within years, Khan was one of nine men from London, Stoke and Cardiff to be convicted of terrorism offences.
In December 2010, Khan discussed with another male how to construct a pipe bomb from a recipe in the al Qaida magazine Inspire, jurors heard.
Khan pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts and was in custody until the end of 2018.
Jurors were told that Khan became a senior figure among extremists in prison and was categorised as a “high risk”.
He was involved with violent incidents and radicalisation of inmates during his time at seven prisons across England.
In January 2011, Khan suggested he had access to a weapon, would “do someone in the eye or neck” and wanted to die and go to paradise, jurors heard.
In March 2011, Khan and others were involved in an attack on another prisoner to shouts of “Allahu Akbar”, Mr Brown said.
In June 2012, Khan recited a poem which included the line “cut off
the kuffar’s head”, the court heard.
In May 2013, a stockpile of chemicals was found in Khan’s cell – not capable of making an IED but was still “very concerning”, Mr Brown said.
In 2017, while at HMP Whitemoor, Khan remained a high risk, Mr Brown said.
While his behaviour was noted as “acceptable”, evidence suggested he continued to harbour extremist attitudes and “told lies or ticked boxes to achieve progression”.
In March 2017, Khan talked about his Muslim faith with Michael Adebowale, who beheaded Fusilier Rigby, jurors heard.
By June of that year, Khan was regarded as an “influential” terrorist prisoner involved in “extremist bullying”, Mr Brown said.
In October 2018, intelligence on Khan suggested he would “return to his old ways”.
Meanwhile, he was said to have engaged “positively” with Learning Together, jurors heard.
Following his release from prison on licence, Khan’s progress was discussed in a series of Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) meetings.
Jurors heard that the idea of Khan learning to drive a dumper truck to help his employment chances was “deemed not appropriate” due to the risk it presented.
However, when the subject of him attending a Learning Together event in London came up, there was no discussion of the risk that could pose, the court heard.
The inquest continues.
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Told lies or ticked boxes to achieve progression