Homeland Security Network Blog
British Teenager Admits Plotting Islamist Terrorist Attack Against Police Officers
The National
British Teenager Admits Plotting Islamist Terrorist Attack Against Police Officers
by Gillian Duncan
A British teenager accused of holding extremist beliefs pleaded guilty to planning an Islamist terrorist attack, allegedly with the intention to target police officers or military personnel.
Prosecutors said Matthew King, 19, carried out surveillance at police stations, railway stations, a magistrates court and a British Army barracks.
At a hearing at the Old Bailey in London on Friday, King pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts.
The teenager stood in the dock to enter his plea wearing a grey shirt and sleeveless black padded jacket.
His lawyer, Hossein Zahir KC, said the defence had submitted a basis of plea to the court.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC adjourned sentencing until April 14 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, which will include the issue of the danger posed by the defendant.
Addressing King, Judge Lucraft stressed it was in his "best interests" to help those preparing the report.
Speaking quietly in the dock, King replied: "Understood."
Authorities had been tipped off about King through an anti-terrorist hotline and the Prevent counter-terrorism programme after he posted a video on a WhatsApp group on April 13 last year.
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.
