Muslim convert who gelled his hair to look more Syrian jailed for five years

A MUSLIM convert who slicked back his hair to look more Syrian to sneak into the country to join jihadists has been jailed for five years after his worried pregnant wife alerted authorities.

Ismael Watson, 27, had travelled to Turkey and “demonstrated a willingness” to kill for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) but was stopped and sent back to Britain as he tried to cross the border into Syria, the Old Bailey heard.

Watson, who has suffered from a bipolar disorder, had denied preparation of terrorist acts and had opted to represent himself but refused to attend court. His first trial was abandoned and following a two-day retrial, he was found guilty in his absence.

The defendant came from a non-muslim family in Liverpool and was described by his mother as “meek, mild and easily influenced”.

Following his conversion to Islam, he was “quickly radicalised”, the court heard.