Terrorist admits gun plot against Christian
A TERRORIST has pleaded guilty to plotting a gun attack in London’s Hyde Park.
Edward Little, 21, admitted planning to buy the weapon to kill Christian preacher Hatun Tash at Speakers’ Corner.
He also allegedly wanted to shoot dead her camera crew and any police or soldiers in the area.
Defence lawyer Tom Godfrey said Little, from Brighton, only accepted he targeted Ms Tash.
He was on his way into London in a taxi when he was stopped and arrested on September 23.
Earlier this year, he denied preparing to commit acts of terrorism but changed his plea and admitted the charge at the Old Bailey yesterday – speaking via video link from Belmarsh jail.
As part of his research Little had looked up different guns and their capabilities and had arranged to buy one for £5,000.
He agreed to pay the taxi driver £300 to take him to Lewisham, south London, saying money was no problem.
Then he asked to stop at a mosque to pray but said he would do it in the cab after being told there was none en route. Later, after being stopped and arrested, police found £5,000 in cash, a passport and two mobile phones in his rucksack.
An encrypted chat on one phone set out his attack plan and the gun purchase.
Little declined to answer questions in police interviews but his mood changed when he was shown a YouTube view of the preacher. He launched himself from his chair across the table at an officer, swinging repeatedly with his fists before being restrained. He admitted assaulting the officer at Newbury Police Station on September 28 and was sentenced to 40 weeks in jail.
At a previous Old Bailey hearing, Judge Richard Marks said Little had an “absolutely shocking previous record”.
He had been convicted of 14 offences on seven occasions – including for robbery, having a knife and drug dealing. He was due to stand trial on July 10 for the terrorism offence but changed his plea.
Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC asked for time to consider the defendant’s basis of plea in relation to his targets.
Mr Justice Baker adjourned sentencing until July 21 and remanded Little into custody.