Muslim convert guilty of plot to attack mosque of cleric who opposed terrorism
Muslim convert guilty of plot to attack mosque of cleric who opposed terrorism
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A Muslim convert has been found guilty of preparing for terrorist acts after threatening to “flatten” a mosque and plotting to attack an Islamic cleric who was an outspoken critic of terrorism. Video footage released by West Midlands Police after Jason Savage was convicted showed the 35-year-old filming reconnaissance near a mosque in Wright Street, Small Heath, Birmingham.
On the video, Savage, from Fourth Avenue, Small Heath, recorded himself saying: “That seems like the best way to get away – the police will probably come from that way.”. As well as charting different routes into the mosque, Savage, who had adapted the handle of a knife found at his home, was heard to say: “Just needs the means now.
“Ask Allah to give man the means bro.”. Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for five hours and 48 minutes before unanimously convicting Savage on Thursday of a single count of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts on or before March 14 last year.
A three-week trial was told Savage was arrested shortly after sending online messages to someone he did not know was an undercover officer, saying he was waiting to see what “opportunities come to present itself”. Jurors also heard that Savage had taken screenshots of the West Midlands Police headquarters, police stations in Perry Barr and Stechford and various military locations in Birmingham, and told the undercover officer he was putting his neck on a “chopping block”.
