Couple accused of bomb scheme

A terror plot to bomb the London Underground or Westfield shopping centre was foiled shortly before the 10th anniversary of the July 7 attacks, a court heard.

Counter terrorism officers were alerted to the plan after Mohammed Rehman, under the name Silent Bomber, asked Twitter followers for advice on which of the two targets to choose, jurors were told.

Rehman, 25, is on trial at the Old Bailey with his wife Sana Ahmed Khan, 24, charged with preparing terrorist acts on or before May 28 this year. He is also charged with possessing an article for terrorist purposes.

Opening the trial, prosecutor Tony Badenoch QC told jurors that when the couple were arrested on May 28, “substantial quantities of chemicals and bomb- making wherewithal” were recovered from Rehman’s home.

Khan had helped buy these chemicals knowing they were to be used to make a bomb, jurors were told.

Mr Badenoch said the pair had a “common interest” in violent and extreme Islamic ideology and had repeatedly researched 7/7 bombers, the court heard.

They also developed a keen interest in Islamic State and Rehman’s online research showed he approved of their atrocities and “wished to play his own part”, jurors were told.

Rehman, of Radstock Road, Reading, and Khan of Hutton Close, Reading, deny wrongdoing.