‘Lone wolf plotted drone attack on military bases’
AN Islamic State supporter plotted a “lone wolf” attack on Britain’s security forces using a drone, knives and Japanese “ninja eggs”, a court has heard.
Hisham Muhammad, 25, amassed an array of weapons including a tomahawk, a machete and “bear claw” spikes, the Old Bailey was told.
He also made a prototype of a drone attachment using lollipop sticks to drop a projectile or “harmful” device on a target, it was claimed.
He allegedly researched police and Army bases, including Castle Armoury Barracks in Bury, Greater Manchester, which he visited before his arrest in June 2018.
The Bermudian, who moved to Britain in 2013, was said to have helped fund his activities with money from a bogus online escort agency scam.
He was caught after his landlord spotted “suspicious” items at his home including knives, wires and a soldering iron, the court heard. Jurors were told his landlord visited after Muhammad and his cousin Faisal Abu Ahmad, 24, fell behind with their rent.
Police uncovered the weapons as well as lollipop sticks attached to an electrical component with tape and wires.
Some of the components allegedly matched sketches and notes for adapting a drone.
Muhammad’s interest in the devices dated back to late 2017 or early 2018 when he called to retrieve a drone from his neighbour’s garden.
Officers seized two painted eggs containing crushed chilli seeds and shards of glass, described as Japanese “ninja eggs”. Prosecutor Anne Whyte QC said Muhammad had steeped himself in “barbarous” IS propaganda as he planned a “lone wolf” attack in Britain.
Analysis of Muhammad’s computer found an IS video titled My Revenge was watched eight times between May 21 and May 30 last year.
Ms Whyte said the video in French justified and encouraged “lone wolf attacks” in Europe, and included gruesome footage of executions.
The defendant had trawled the internet for postcodes in Westminster and central Manchester, knives and drones, jurors heard. On May 21 last year, he allegedly researched suicide belts and machetes.
In an interview with police, Muhammad denied planning an attack, saying he had a “gift from god for making things and liked to innovate”.
Ms Whyte said: “We allege Hisham Muhammad intended to commit an act of terrorism.
“He combined an anticipated use of a drone with plans to use knives or other bladed items in order to stab human targets.”
Muhammad, of Bury, denies engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.
Ahmad has pleaded not guilty to failing to alert authorities of the alleged attack plan.