High Wycombe 'extremist' Yousaf Syed part of three-man gang who plotted beheading outrage, court hears

Yousaf Syed, of West Wycombe Road, and his cousin Nadir Syed, 22, from Hounslow – along with 28-year-old Haseeb Hamayoon – were allegedly inspired by a speech encouraging attacks on disbelievers by an Islamic State spokesman.

Prosecutor Max Hill QC said that after being arrested in early November last year, days before the Poppy Day service, police found 'gruesome' images they had sought out online, including beheadings using knives.

He added that the cousins had previously attempted to board a flight to Turkey and had discussed the killing of murdered journalist James Foley, who was brutally beheaded in Syria.

A raid was carried out near the town centre on November 6, with Syed later charged by investigators.

The prosecutor said there appeared to be a “party atmosphere” at the idea of “linking-up” on the anniversary of the 9/11 terror atrocity, with Yousaf describing the victims as “Innocent w***ers”.

Discussing the death of James Foley, Mr Hill said: “There doesn't seem to be any regret, or still less horror, at the killing of a journalist at the hands of Islamic State.”

He added: “All three defendants were demonstrating their support for ISIS, and acts of terrorism in general, and were interested in knives and killings by beheading.

“All three were ready we say for the important Islamic State fatwa exhorting and encouraging such murders.”

Police raided several properties in High Wycombe last year - ARM Images.

Woolwich Crown Court heard the defendants were "both ready to receive and act upon the fatwa" when it was issued in mid-September last year.

The proclamation, issued through the brutal terror group's media production centre, Al-Furqan, warned Americans and Europeans “you will not feel safe in your bedrooms”.

It encouraged followers to “rig the roads with explosives”, “raid their homes” and “cut off their heads” as well as inviting attacks on 'police, security and intelligence members'.

The prosecutor said: “To people of a certain mind, by which I mean Islamic extremists such as these three defendants, the fatwa created a considerable stir.

“As we shall see, these defendants became aware of it on the day of release, and they discussed it themselves at length, in an online chat group under the following key message "IS supporters to kill civilians everywhere in the West".

“Therefore, the fatwa was accepted as the catalyst for violence, and planning for violence in the case of these defendants by plotting to kill with knives, in this country.”

Mr Hill described the fatwa as 'truly chilling' before passages were read out in court.

One passage said: “Strike their police, security and intelligence members as well as their treacherous agents. Destroy their beds. Embitter their lives for them and busy them with themselves.”

Another read: “If you are not able to find an IED or a bullet, then single out the disbelieving American, Frenchman or any of their allies.

“Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife, or run him over with your car, or throw him from a high place, or choke him, or poison him.”

Nadir Syed, who was on police bail in relation to a public order incident, attempted to board a flight to Turkey with his cousin in January along with a third traveller, who went on to fight for IS in Syria, it was said.

Analysis of Nadir Syed's phone, seized after his arrest, revealed his “interest in the knife murder of Drummer Lee Rigby on the streets of Woolwich”, said the prosecutor.

The trio communicated by SMS texts as well as the WhatsApp and Telgram messaging apps.

Yousaf Syed, Nadir Syed and Hamayoon, from Hayes, are charged with each preparing an act of terrorism contrary to section five of the Terrorism Act 2006, between September 20 and November 7 last year.

The trial continues.