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Police arrest 26-year-old man at Indian restaurant in Cornwall on suspicion of 'preparing for an act of terrorism connected to Syria'

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  • Bangladeshi man arrested in raid in small seaside town of Hayle last night
  • Police are questioning him in relation to investigation into terrorism
  • Officers say the probe relates to extremism in Syria and not domestic plot
  • Follows series of arrests in recent weeks in connection with Syria
  • Police in Cornwall say there is no threat to the local community 
A man is being questioned on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks after a late night raid at a Cornish curry house.

The 26-year-old was held on Monday night when officers from South East Counter Terrorism Unit moved in on the Balti King Indian restaurant in small town of Hayle, Cornwall.

Police sources say the arrest related to activities over the internet in connection to terrorism in Syria.
The suspect - a Bangladeshi national - is being quizzed on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

Locals in the normally quiet seaside town said the streets were full of police this morning.
Business owner Paul Triggs said: 'I'm totally horrified. There was a huge amount of police activity.

'Obviously the police van was parked outside and we didn't really know what was going on because we hadn't heard anything. We've just come in this morning to open up the shop and been told what's going on next door.

His wife Gemma added: 'It's somewhere in Cornwall where you don't expect anything like this to happen.' 

Bini Barnes, 43, who manages a shop next to the Balti King learnt of Monday night's arrest as she arrived at work the next morning.

She said: 'I didn't know anything until I turned up to work. 

The police told me it wasn't about bomb-making or anything like that. They said it related to the internet somehow.

'I'm completely gobsmacked, it seems unreal. Living in Hayle, you don't expect this sort of thing to happen on your doorstep.

'I don't know how many police were here overnight, but there have been loads more this morning. There's been at least two vans and we have seen loads of people walking between the vans and the restaurant.

The Balti King's website states: 'The Balti King Indian restaurant has been established for over 10 years in Hayle.

 We serve the best quality Indian and Bangladeshi food, in a contemporary atmosphere.'

Paul and Gemma Triggs, who work near the restaurant, said they were shocked by the police activity
Paul and Gemma Triggs, who work near the restaurant, said they were shocked by the police activity

Police have reassured locals in Hayle, famous for its three miles of sandy beaches, that there was no threat to their safety.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Officers from the South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU) working alongside officers from the Devon and Cornwall Police conducted a warrant in Hayle, Cornwall, on Monday, November 3.

'A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism, under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

'The man, who was arrested in Hayle, is being questioned by officers from the SECTU at a police station in the Devon and Cornwall area.

'This arrest relates to an investigation by the SECTU and officers would like to reassure residents that the police activity is in relation to conflicts overseas and is not linked to any immediate threat to local communities or anywhere else in the UK.'

The Balti King Indian restaurant - where the man was arrested - has been in the town for around 10 years
The Balti King Indian restaurant - where the man was arrested - has been in the town for around 10 years

Superintendent Jim Pearce, West Cornwall commander, told a press conference: 'I can tell you that we worked with officers from the South East counter terrorism unit, we assisted them in a pre-planned warrant to arrest a male under section five of the terrorism act.

'This was a low key arrest, proportionate to the circumstances.

 The person in our custody needs to be interviewed and we need to discuss the investigation that is in hand.

'It doesn't involve local people, or any body in the UK. There is no threat to the local community. 
'I can understand that local people have concerns but I would like to reassure them that the investigation is not locally based, it is overseas.'

The arrest comes after a 21-year-old man, a 32-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were arrested by anti-terror police in three seperate probes all linked to Syria last month.

Officers searched two properties in Bedfordshire, two in west London and one in Hackney, north east London after raids over the last three weeks.

Four terror suspects were also charged with plotting to kill policemen and soldiers in London drive-by shootings earlier last month.

Tarik Hassane, 21, Suhaib Majeed, 20, Nyall Hamlett, 24, and Momen Motasim, 21, all from London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court amid tight security as they were charged with an Islamic State-inspired gun plot.

It was alleged to have been formulated following a fatwa by a senior ISIS terrorist.


Jihadi attack on UK 'inevitable': Police fear a beheading by 'lone wolf' in shopping centre and farmers are told to lock up fertiliser to foil bombers

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  • Home secretary says jihadis are one of the greatest threats UK has faced
  • Top police officer says five major plots foiled this year alone
  • New laws being implemented to tackle home-grown terror threat 
Britain is facing an ‘almost inevitable’ attack by fanatics who have been ‘militarised’ by Islamic State, according to police and security officials.

In speeches today, Theresa May and senior police will warn that the ‘diverse’ terrorist threat posed by jihadis returning from Syria and Iraq is one of the greatest this country has ever faced.

Potential attacks could range from a ‘lone wolf’ beheading in a crowded shopping centre or street, to a bomb plot using fertiliser stolen from British farms.

 One Whitehall official told the Mail: ‘It is almost inevitable that something is going to happen in the next few months.’

Scroll down for video 
Theresa May will warn that the ‘diverse’ terrorist threat posed by jihadis returning from Syria and Iraq is one of the greatest this country has ever faced. Britain’s most senior officer, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said police and MI5 have already foiled five major plots this year

According to Britain’s most senior officer, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, police and MI5 have already foiled five major plots this year. 

Chillingly, there is normally only one major plot disrupted every 12 months.

Addressing a conference in London, Mrs May will unveil draconian new laws to try to protect the public and stem the flow of cash and recruits to Islamic State. 

They include a ban on the payment of any ransoms to terrorists and making it easier to track extremists on the internet.

Internet companies will be forced to keep data which helps to identify the user of an individual mobile phone or computer. But the law stops short of making them log every website a person visits after the Liberal Democrats said the so-called ‘snoopers’ charter’ was ‘dead and buried’.

The Home Secretary’s new Anti-Terrorism and Security Bill, to be presented to MPs tomorrow, also includes powers to:

  • Forcibly relocate terror suspects, or put them into internal exile; allow border guards to seize the passports of suspected jihadis;

  • Ban fanatics returning from Syria from entering the UK for up to two years;

  • Forbid airlines from landing in the UK if they do not provide advanced passenger lists.

Sir Bernard said the challenges faced by police and MI5 in monitoring jihadis returning from Syria were huge.

He warned: ‘They’re going to be militarised, they will have a complex web of people that they know, and of course they will have learnt tactics that they may want to use here.’

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Sir Bernard said there was a ‘growing concern’ about the risk of a ‘lone wolf’ attack on British streets.


Soldier Lee Rigby was murdered by two Muslim converts who ambushed him as he walked back to his barracks in Woolwich, South East London, last year.

 ‘It doesn’t take an awful lot of organising, doesn’t take too many to conspire together, there’s no great complexity to it,’ Sir Bernard said.

‘So that means we have got a very short time to interdict, to actually intervene and make sure that these people don’t get away with it.’

Today assistant commissioner Mark Rowley, the Met’s most senior counter-terrorism officer, will say the ‘danger posed by violent extremists has evolved’.

Speaking alongside Mrs May at the Royal United Services Institute, he will say: ‘They are no longer a problem solely stemming from countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, far away in the minds of the public.

‘Now, they are home-grown, in our communities; radicalised by images and messages they read on social media and prepared to kill for their cause.’ 

He will also reveal how police have offered specific advice to farmers to ensure that fertilisers are stored securely so they cannot be stolen by fanatics to make bombs.

'We will chop off the heads of whoever you bring': A British ISIS fighter dares west to send ground troops in this video rant
'We will chop off the heads of whoever you bring': A British ISIS fighter dares west to send ground troops in this video rant
A member loyal to the Islamic State (ISIS) waves the terror group's flag in Raqqa, Syria
A member loyal to the Islamic State (ISIS) waves the terror group's flag in Raqqa, Syria

Mrs May, who has been fighting a long-running battle with the Lib Dems for greater counter-terrorism powers, is equally bleak in her assessment.

She said: ‘There was a time when people were looking at perhaps just Al Qaeda-related threats that were a long time in the planning.

‘Now the threat is more diverse in terms of the number of groups out there who will be looking to carry out attacks in the West.

 It’s also more diverse in that not everybody’s affiliated to a particular group – some are self-starting groups and you do have individuals, perhaps the “lone wolves” or the volatile individuals.

‘We have to look across the board at all sorts of threats that are out there.’

Abu Abdullah Al-Habashi (right), who fled the UK for the Middle East, is believed to have been killed there
Abu Abdullah Al-Habashi (right), who fled the UK for the Middle East, is believed to have been killed there

The plans to make it easier to monitor the public’s use of the internet revives a long-running controversy which has split the Coalition.

 At the moment, only the so-called Internet Protocol address is recorded when a person uses the web.

The IP addresses are not tagged to individuals and can regularly change, even on a home computer which connects to the internet using broadband.

 Under new laws, the internet companies must link these IP addresses to the identity of the person using them.

But, at the insistence of Nick Clegg, it stops short of Mrs May’s demands for a full ‘snoopers’ charter’ which would make internet companies log details of every website a person visits, along with their use of social media.

Tomorrow, a long-awaited report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee will say MI5 was in the dark about clues on social media that could have alerted them to the fanatical intentions of the killers of Fusilier Rigby.

The report will stop short of saying MI5 could have prevented the attack on the day.

'ISIS have sleeper cells in the UK and will unleash war on Europe': Jihadi hunter who rescued his own son from fighting with extremists in Syria issues chilling warning

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  • Dimitri Bontinck says ISIS chiefs have European countries 'in their sights' 
  • Built contacts with branch of Al Qaeda and sources close to ISIS fighters
  • MailOnline shown proof that confirms dealings with intelligence groups 
  • Army veteran is known as Jihadi Hunter after rescuing youths from Syria 
  • One of those was his son Jejoen who is on trial over alleged terror links
  • Comes as Theresa May says ISIS-style attack is now 'almost inevitable'
A decorated army veteran renowned for rescuing youths from Islamic State today warned that the terrorist group is placing 'sleeper cells' in European countries including the UK.

Dimitri Bontinck, who is known as the 'Jihadi Hunter', spoke out as he prepared to support his own teenage son in a criminal trial after bringing him home from Syria.

It came as Home Secretary Theresa May and senior British police chiefs also said that a terrorist atrocity involving an ISIS-style beheading or bomb attack on civilians is now 'almost inevitable'.

Referring to their campaign of atrocities carried out abroad, Mr Bontinck, 41, told MailOnline: 'It's not the kids who are the principal danger – it's the chiefs whom you never see in the videos.

'The mature men running this organisation are deeply sinister, and extremely well-funded, and they have European countries such as Britain, France and Belgium in their sights.' 

Belgian Army veteran Dimitri Bontinck (centre) poses with contacts in war-torn Syria. He has warned that the Islamic State is placing sleepers cells in the UK and other European countries after lisasing with members of Jabhat Al Nusra, a branch of Al Qaeda, and other contacts with close links to ISIS operatives
Belgian Army veteran Dimitri Bontinck (centre) poses with contacts in war-torn Syria. He has warned that the Islamic State is placing sleepers cells in the UK and other European countries after lisasing with members of Jabhat Al Nusra, a branch of Al Qaeda, and other contacts with close links to ISIS operatives
Some of the contacts Mr Bontinck met in the Syrian town of Al-Hamraa during his missions to find his son
Some of the contacts Mr Bontinck met in the Syrian town of Al-Hamraa during his missions to find his son

He added: 'Their aim is to take revenge against the west for what they view as an all-out assault on them, and they will strike when they are ready.

'I've been told by very influential sources that they have sleeper cells over here, and are preparing to unleash their war in Europe.'

Mr Bontinck, a Belgian national who is based in Antwerp, has completed seven missions to Syria to help rescue his son, 19-year-old Jejoen, along with other youths in the same position.

The special forces trained negotiator insists that Jejoen is innocent of any wrongdoing, and that the authorities should not be 'stigmatising and criminalising youngsters who fall in with the wrong crowd'.

Jejoen was raised as a Catholic, attending a Jesuit school in Antwerp, but converted to Islam at 15 after going out with a local Muslim girl.

He became radicalised under the influence of the now-banned Sharia4Belgium group and then travelled to the Syrian civil war zone after flying to Turkey.
Dimitri Bontinck arrives in Turkey in April 2013 on one of seven missions to find his son
Dimitri Bontinck with his son Jojoen
Dimitri Bontinck arrives in Turkey (left) in April 2013 on one of seven missions to find his son Jejoen, who he was reunited with in Syria earlier this year (right)
Mr Bontinck with his son’s passport – the one which he did not need to travel from Belgium to Syria
Mr Bontinck with his son’s passport – the one which he did not need to travel from Belgium to Syria

Jejoen told his parents – Mr Bontinck and his mother, Rose – that he was 'on holiday with some mates in Holland'.

'He didn't even have a passport to get to Turkey, instead using his Belgium identity card,' said Mr Bontinck, who had to travel to and from Syria three times before finding Jejoen.

'We were both accused of being spies at one stage, and were badly beaten up' said Mr Bontinck, adding: 'But the main thing is that we made excellent contacts with the radicals, as well as other influential players, before getting out.'

Mr Bontinck's main dealings were with Jabhat Al Nusra, a branch of Al Qaeda, but he has also spoken to those close to ISIS operatives.

His exact movements are shrouded in secrecy, but he has shown MailOnline documents and other evidence which confirm dealings with intelligence agencies and other governmental groups, as well as warring factions.

Pictures show Mr Bontinck armed and working with 'my team' out in Syria – a group which includes Arab speakers and those who 'know the country intimately'.

He says he has received death threats from ISIS, and believes his son is in 'serious danger', and should be given 'a new identity after offering the authorities a huge amount of information about those who indoctrinated him'.

A picture taken by Mr Bontinck during one of his tough negotiating sessions in war-torn Syria earlier this year. His exact movements are shrouded in secrecy, but he has shown MailOnline evidence which confirm dealings with intelligence agencies and other governmental groups as well as warring factions
A picture taken by Mr Bontinck during one of his tough negotiating sessions in war-torn Syria earlier this year. His exact movements are shrouded in secrecy, but he has shown MailOnline evidence which confirm dealings with intelligence agencies and other governmental groups as well as warring factions
Growing threat: Youngsters learning about radical Islam on the streets of Antwerp in Belgium
Growing threat: Youngsters learning about radical Islam on the streets of Antwerp in Belgium

Jejoen, who was rescued earlier this year, was held for a time with James Foley, the US journalist who was later murdered, and the Briton John Cantlie, who continues to appear on IS propaganda videos.

'They all knew each other as the three Js', said Mr Bontinck, blaming both American and Britain for 'not working hard enough with the radicals to get their subjects home'.

Mr Bontinck has so far helped to bring four other youngsters, beyond Jejoen, back from Syria, and said there were 'too many intelligence agencies who have missed opportunities to rescue hostages.'

He helped in an attempt by Khadra Jama, from Manchester, to rescue her twin daughters Zahra and Salma, 16, who have married IS fighters since running away in June.

An older brother, Ahmed, was already involved in the conflict, having joined Al Shabab in their parents' native Somalia.

Mr Bontinck said a charity worker based in Denmark met one of the sisters near Aleppo after being promised safe passage by an IS commander, but the teenager was not persuaded to leave.

This was despite assurances that she could go to Denmark, where the family has connections and where the authorities adopt a more understanding approach to those who return. 

Jejoen Bontinck with his barrister, Chris Luyckx, back in Antwerp. He and more than 40 others with alleged links to Sharia4Belgium are currently on trial accused of belonging to a terrorist organisation
Jejoen Bontinck with his barrister, Chris Luyckx, back in Antwerp. He and more than 40 others with alleged links to Sharia4Belgium are currently on trial accused of belonging to a terrorist organisation

On a second trip, to meet the second daughter, the charity worker also took the twins' mother. Both were captured and briefly held by IS before being freed, but without fulfilling their mission.

'It's extremely dangerous out there, and of course I fear for my life,' said Mr Bontinck. 'I work with some excellent, people, however. We are a team and we are committed to getting youngsters home.

'My greatest help has come from the French, who are very proactive in getting their people out. They do a lot of their dealings through Qatar.'

The massively wealthy Arab country has close links with France despite – controversially – being accused of indirectly funding IS as an enemy of Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad.
'The French are committed to rescuing hostages, in a way which Britain and America are not,' said Mr Bontinck.

Mr Bontinck said he 'had no evidence' of cash being used to free hostages, saying 'all I have used is negotiation with the right people.'

Proposals for improving the situation offered by Mr Bontinck include an international effort to close down Jihadi websites, and stricter passport controls on young people travelling to Turkey.

Jejoen Bontinck, who is suspected of being part of Sharia4Belgium, arrives for his trial  in September
Jejoen Bontinck, who is suspected of being part of Sharia4Belgium, arrives for his trial in September

'These are just simple measures which would make the situation better straight away,' said Mr Bontinck.

He insisted 'Jejoen was a victim, just like so many other teenagers and other young people who get caught up in this type of madness.

'These radical Islamic groups are no different from cults. 

They create a sense of community among young people, and then lead them into terrifying situations.'

This week, Mr Bontinck will attend court for the end of a trial in which his son and more than 40 others with alleged links to Sharia4Belgium are accused of belonging to a terrorist organisation.

Jejoen has denied any wrongdoing, saying he went out to Syria for humanitarian reasons, and spent a great deal of time locked up.

He was also held in prison in Belgium for more than a month on his return, before being freed on stringent bail terms.

Prosecutors have demanded a four year jail term for Jejoen – something his father said was 'preposterous'.

A 15-year term has been sought against Fouad Belkacem, the Sharia4Belgium spokesman and alleged mastermind of the group. 

ISIS executioner Jihadi John and his henchmen prepare to behead Syrian soldiers in the same sickening propaganda video that shows the decapitated body of American aid worker Peter Kassig
ISIS executioner Jihadi John and his henchmen prepare to behead Syrian soldiers in the same sickening propaganda video that shows the decapitated body of American aid worker Peter Kassig



Belkacem is notorious for posting Jihad recruitment videos online, even though Sharia4Belgium was officially dissolved two years ago.

Mr Bontinck, who was twice honoured when part of a UN peace keeping forced in the Balkans in the 1990s, said his son was 'victim, key witness, and terrorist suspect' in the trial.

The highly trained former solder is now in demand as a 'Jihadi Hunter' who will travel to some of the most dangerous places in the world to rescue youngsters.

Requests have come from numerous countries, including Britain, but he said he was finding it 'increasingly hard to be the Mother Teresa figure' without more support.

'The Belgian government has no interest at all in doing anything positive, and nor do countries like Britain, so a non-governmental agency is necessary, or at the very least charitable donations. The priority has to be to save our children.'

Hendrik van de Velde, the Belgian foreign affairs department spokesman said 'Belgium was the first country to draw attention to the problem' of young men and women being radicalised, adding: 'Belgium also seeks to avoid radicalisation within society through grassroots work at local level.'

Jejoen Bontinck has kept his Islamic faith, but has renounced Sharia4Belgium, and now gets on 'extremely well' with both Mr Bontinck and his Nigerian-born wife, Rose.

In speeches today, Theresa May and senior police will warn that the 'diverse' terrorist threat posed by jihadis returning from Syria and Iraq is one of the greatest Britain has ever faced.

Potential attacks could range from a 'lone wolf' beheading in a crowded shopping centre or street, to a bomb plot using fertiliser stolen from British farms.

Did jihadi bride's teenage boy burn this Union Jack?

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  • Eldest son of jihadi Sally Jones was arrested over the unpatriotic act 
  • The 18-year-old is accused of burning and spitting on the flag in Kent 
  • His mother fled the UK last year after marrying convicted computer hacker
  • Jones regularly posts threats to West and Islamic passages on Twitter 
The teenage son of a former rock musician who travelled to Syria after marrying an Islamist extremist has been arrested over burning a Union Jack near the family's home in Kent. 

The 18-year-old was arrested alongside two 14-year-old's in Borough Green near Sevenoaks after allegedly climbing up the flag pole outside a library, setting fire to the Union Jack and spitting on it on October 27. 

Kent Police are now thought to be investigating whether the vandals were spurred on by a religious hatred of the West as it was revealed one is the son of jihadist Sally Jones who fled the UK last year. 

The 18-year-old's mother Sally Jones travelled to Syria last year to join ISIS militants after marrying an Islamic extremist she met on Twitter. Jones regularly posts on Twitter about her life in the northern city of Raqqa 
The 18-year-old's mother Sally Jones travelled to Syria last year to join ISIS militants after marrying an Islamic extremist she met on Twitter. Jones regularly posts on Twitter about her life in the northern city of Raqqa 
The son of jihadi bride Sally Jones was arrested alongside two other teenagers in October for burning and spitting on a Union Jack outside the Borough Green Library in Kent 
The son of jihadi bride Sally Jones was arrested alongside two other teenagers in October for burning and spitting on a Union Jack outside the Borough Green Library in Kent 

Forty-five-year-old Jones, a life-long benefit claimant, joined terrorists in the Middle East after marrying convicted computer hacker and Islamic extremist Junaid Huddsain, 20.

The couple, who met on Twitter, post regular threats to the West and recite Islamic prophecies on the micro-blogging site from their new home in Raqqa, northern Syria. 
CCTV footage from October 27 implicated the eldest of Jones's two sons in the flag-burning incident outside Borough Green Library, the Times reports. 

He was released on bail with two younger alleged accomplices.  

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed their arrests, saying: ''Two males, aged 14 and 18, remain on police bail until 20 December following a report of criminal damage in Borough Green, in which a flag is reported to have been burnt. 

'A third male, aged 14, was later arrested on 6 November and remains on bail. The three arrested people have had their bail extended until 20 December.'

Jones, a life-long benefits claimant, converted to Islam and fled the UK after marrying the extremist 
Jones, a life-long benefits claimant, converted to Islam and fled the UK after marrying the extremist 
A photograph posted on one of the Twitter accounts Jones and her toyboy husband use from the Middle East shows the veiled 45-year-old toting an AK-47
A photograph posted on one of the Twitter accounts Jones and her toyboy husband use from the Middle East shows the veiled 45-year-old toting an AK-47

The flag has since been replaced by workmen in the village, with residents shocked such vandalism was carried out in the run-up to Remembrance Day. 

Since converting to Islam, the teenager's mother has documented her aggressive allegiance with ISIS online. 

Posting under the Muslim name Umm Hussain Al-Britani, the 45-year-old regularly boasts of life in Raqqa, one of the terrorist group's most significant strong-holds. 

Jones, who is thought to have taken her youngest son with her to the war-torn country, married toyboy terrorist Junaid Hussain after meeting the 20-year-old on Twitter. 

Hussain was jailed in 2012 for hacking former prime minister Tony Blair's personal details and publishing them online. 

At the time he admitted making nuisance phone calls to jam terrorism hotlines. 

His lawyer claimed his actions were nothing more than a 'teenage prank', and were no worse than those of the Bullingdon Club - an Oxford university society to which David Cameron and Boris Johnson have been linked. 

The then 18-year-old was jailed for just six months. 

The mother-of-two married convicted hacker Junaid Hussain before travelling to the Middle East last year 
The mother-of-two married convicted hacker Junaid Hussain before travelling to the Middle East last year 
Junaid Hussain was jailed in 2012 for publishing the private details of former prime minister Tony Blair online. The then 18-year-old had hacked the computer of his former special adviser to obtain the information 
In 2012 the then 18-year-old was jailed for six months
Junaid Hussain was jailed in 2012 (right) for publishing the private details of former prime minister Tony Blair online. The then 18-year-old had hacked the computer of his former special adviser to obtain the information 

Teen Girl Converts To Islam For Muslim Lover, Doesn’t Turn Out As Planned

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Acid attack: Vikki Horsman was doused with the burning liquid that left her with horrific burns

An 80-year-old man arranged to have acid thrown over his 19-year-old lover after he became jealous of her growing independence, a court has heard.
Vikki Horsman suffered eight per cent burns over her body after she was doused with the acid during the horrendous attack on April 15 this year.
Rafiq, her former lover who is more than 60 years older than her, was described by the prosecution barrister Anthony Warner as "controlling".
Mr Warner said Ms Horsman had even converted to Islam and changed her name to Aleena Rafiq in 2013 to suit the old man, after starting a sexual relationship.
She had lost her mother and father in quick succession and "came to rely" on Rafiq, who bought her a car.
However, prosecutors say Rafiq, of Smethwick, West Midlands, became unhappy with Ms Horsman's increasing independence and increasingly "obsessed" with her movements, even going through her personal possessions.
On one occasion, Mr Warner said Rafiq had sent her photos of used condom packets he had apparently found in her bedroom.

Vikki Horsman, 19, has been left scarred for life after a man threw high-strength cleaning fluid in her face
Converted: Vikki Horsman changed her religion to please Rafiq, the court was told
 Rafiq denies inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Ms Horsman, alongside two others.
The prosecution allege he planned the attack with co-accused Shannon Heaps, 23, and 25-year-old Steven Holmes, who is said to have carried out the attack in the porch of a house in Tividale, West Midlands.
Heaps, of Tividale, and Holmes, of Smethwick, are standing trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court together with Rafiq, who also denies a charge of perverting the course of justice.
Mr Warner said Ms Horsman, a nursing home worker, described how she was told a man was at the front door of the house by Rafiq, who had himself only popped in a few minutes before the attack.
But when she opened the door "a black liquid" was doused over her, hitting her directly in the face and neck.
Mr Warner said: "She screamed loudly and felt a terrible burning pain".
As she was sent reeling backwards by the assault, the prosecution barrister described how the victim saw the skin on her face "blistering" in a nearby mirror.
But he added that Rafiq "may not have bargained for the fact that, in her terror, the victim of the attack would get some of the black liquid transferred to him" - the older man's defence is expected to say he was also a victim of the attack.
Prosecutors argue witnesses and mobile phone evidence will prove Rafiq spoke and met with both Heaps and Holmes, in the hours beforehand.
Mr Warner told the jury they would also hear from a man who was present during a meeting between the three, hearing Rafiq tell Holmes he wanted the younger man to deliver "a gift to a girlfriend", and that Heaps would "show him the address".

Four people are accused of throwing acid in Vikki Horsman's face as she answered her door.
Savage: The attack took place on a doorstep after Vikki had opened the door
 The prosecution barrister added that before the attack on Ms Horsman, Rafiq handed a carrier bag allegedly containing the acid to Holmes.
The jury of seven women and five men were also told how one witness described hearing "a loud scream", with Holmes appearing moments later and telling them to "run".
Heaps and Holmes were also pictured on CCTV heading to and from the address, with the footage shown in court to the jury.
Mr Warner said it was the Crown's case Rafiq had later given witness statements to police which were "both misleading and untruthful" supplying them with the names of men unconnected to the assault, and false descriptions of the attackers.
Holmes, Heaps and Rafiq denied any involvement in the attack, with Holmes telling detectives: "I didn't do it."
Afterwards, Ms Horsman was treated for deep burns requiring specialist surgery to her face, neck, shoulders, and upper leg.
The prosecution barrister said she had "many years" of treatment ahead.
The jury also heard from Ms Stevens who told how she had been in a four-year sexual relationship with the older man from when she was just 16.

She disclosed that the mortgage on the house she currently lived in, where the attack on Miss Horsman took place, was half in the name of Rafiq's son after he stepped in over her financial 'difficulties'.

Ms Stevens recalled the older man's 'upset' when Ms Horsman told him the relationship was over, early in 2014.

She added the victim's family had make it clear they did not approve of the arrangement, and 'had been messaging him (Rafiq) saying she was down there with them eating bacon sandwiches and drinking alcohol'.

Terror: Miss Horsman described the moment the acid splashed her as 'just instant burning - piercing pain', affecting her face, neck, ears and shoulder
Terror: Miss Horsman described the moment the acid splashed her as 'just instant burning - piercing pain', affecting her face, neck, ears and shoulder
Later, the row over the relationship came to a head when an 'angry' Rafiq discovered a used condom in Miss Horsman's bedside drawer.

Ms Stevens, asked about Rafiq's reaction, claimed he told Miss Horsman: 'They're your condoms, there's only you - I don't use them."

The 36-year-old said he told her he no longer trusted Miss Horsman, claiming she 'was sleeping with other people and sleeping with her cousin'.

Her response was to tell the pensioner to accept the relationship was over, telling him 'you've got grandchildren older than her, let her get on with her life'.

However, on the subject of Miss Horsman's conversion to Islam, she also contradicted her friend's evidence that Rafiq had put her under pressure, saying: 'I tried to talk her out of it, as I didn't think she was ready - but she was adamant.'
The court also heard that Rafiq claimed he was just 45 when was dating Miss Horsman, although she said she didn't believe him. 
The Crown says Rafiq, of Smethwick, West Midlands, became unhappy with Miss Horsman’s increasing independence and increasingly 'obsessed' with her movements, even going through her personal possessions. 

Rafiq, who was also in the house at the time of the attack, is accused of planning the vicious assault along with Steven Holmes, 25, and 22-year-old Shannon Heaps.

However, on the subject of Ms Horsman's conversion to Islam, she also contradicted her friend's evidence that Rafiq had put her under pressure, saying: 'I tried to talk her out of it, as I didn't think she was ready - but she was adamant.

He said when Rafiq answered the front door of the house the called Miss Horsman to come downstairs to the front door telling her that there was a man there for her.

'The caller to the address was in fact Steven Holmes. Vikki was not expecting any callers that afternoon, unlike Mohammed Rafiq who certainly was.

'She went to the front bedroom window because she wasn't expecting anybody but the porch was in the way. She could see that the front door was just open and there was a man when she opened the door, Steven Holmes.

'He held out to her a green carrier bag, she went to take hold of it but when she went to take hold of it he didn't let go and then a black liquid was thrown over her.

'It hit her face, her neck, and she screamed out loud and felt a terrible burning pain and saw her face and neck was blistering by looking in the mirror.

He added: 'Rafiq may not have bargained for the fact that in her terror some of the black liquid would be transferred to him but it was and he himself received some injuries.'

The pensioner, from Smethwick, West Midlands, met with the two other defendents shortly before the attack and soon after, the court heard.

On the afternoon following, he picked up Holmes, also from Smethwick, in his Audi TT.
Two friends who witnessed them together said they later saw Heaps pass Holmes a green carrier bag containing a bottle before Rafiq drove off leaving the four men alone.

Mr Warner added: 'Fortunately the paramedics and ambulance did arrive quite quickly.
'She (Miss Horsman) was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and she was taken immediately to theatre for cleaning and dressing of wounds.

'She was taken to intensive care, the dressing was removed the next day revealing deep areas of burning to the chest, upper neck and left upper arm.

Miss Horseman spent days there and was on a ventilator at one stage.

She was taken to theatre again on April 22 for the first application of skin grafts taken from her right thigh.

She will require intensive scar management and occupational therapy for years and possibly further surgery. 

Rafiq, Holmes and Heaps all deny one charge of inflicting GBH with intent and Rafiq also denies a further charge of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues. 

Two brothers become first in UK convicted for attending Syria terror training camp after returning with bullets and 'trophy' pictures

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  • Brothers from east London travelled to war-torn country last year
  • Photos on their mobile phones showed terror camp and weapons
  • They admitted conspiracy to attend a terrorism training camp this year
  • Today they were handed sentences of four and half and three years 
Two brothers have been jailed at the Old Bailey today after admitting to conspiring to attend a terror training camp in Syria.

Mohommod Nawaz, 30, was jailed for four-and-a-half years and his younger brother Hamza Nawaz, 24, was given three years.

The brothers brought back bullets and took pictures on their mobile phones as 'trophies' of their time in the Jihadist camp, which were found by police and used to prove their guilt.

Mohommod Nawaz and his younger brother Hamza Nawaz (pictured) have become the first Britons convicted of attending a jihadist training camp in Syria
Mohommod Nawaz (pictured) and his younger brother Hamza Nawaz have become the first Britons convicted of attending a jihadist training camp in Syria
Mohommod Nawaz (left) and his younger brother Hamza Nawaz (right) have become the first Britons convicted of attending a jihadist training camp in Syria

Photos from their phones showed the detailed schedule at the camp included two sessions of 'military training', two sessions of 'Islamic lessons' and 'lights out' at 10pm.

The court heard the brothers lived together in Stratford, East London but headed out the the war-torn country last year.
Police discovered they had travelled from East London to Lyon through the Channel Tunnel and from there to Istanbul.

Travel documents confirmed they had travelled on to Southern Turkey close to the rebel held area of Syria.

Photographs from the phones showed road signs that proved they had crossed into Syria where Mohommod was photographed with an AK-47 at a training camp.

There was evidence that they had discussed travelling to the training camp on text and Whatsapp messages.

The men were stopped as they returned in a car to Dover from Calais in the early hours of September 16.

The brothers had photos of the terror camp training schedule and pictures of the camp on their phones
The brothers had photos of the terror camp training schedule and pictures of the camp on their phones
The brothers had photos of the terror camp training schedule and pictures of the camp on their phones
The brothers took pictures on their mobile phones as 'trophies' of their time in the terror training camp
The brothers took pictures on their mobile phones as 'trophies' of their time in the terror training camp

Mohommod was found to have five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition suitable for an AK-47 assault rifle. They also had a balaclava and 'heavy duty clothing', the court heard.

They each handed over a mobile phone but a search revealed four more phones, and an MP3 player along with a sim card hidden inside Hamza's copy of the Koran.

They admitted conspiracy to attend a terrorism training camp at a hearing earlier this year.

Jailing the brothers today, Judge Christopher Moss QC told them: 'You were in training both of you while you were there to support the rebel fighting in Syria.

 In fairness to you both there is no evidence of you actually engaged in such fighting.'

Bullets and photos on mobile phones were found when they returned to Britain through the Channel Tunnel
The photos of weapons (left) and road signs (right) were seized by police and used to convict the brothers

Commuters told to 'run, hide and tell' in leaflet distributed by police warning of Mumbai-style gun terror attacks at train stations

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  • New campaign by police to encourage public to be aware of terror threat
  • Leaflets handed out at stations telling passengers what to do in attack
  • Police say the campaign is the result of an increased threat from fanatics
  • They say information from passengers has prevented previous plots
  • Security services say they've foiled 'marauding gun attacks' in recent years
  • But some commuters have criticised the leaflets as 'scaremongering'
  • A new anti-terror bill is be unveiled today in a bid to stop radicalisation
Police are taking to railway stations to tell passengers what to do in the event of a Mumbai-style terrorist attack at one of Britain's busy terminals.

After government warnings that the threat to Britain from Islamist fanatics is 'greater than ever', officers handed out leaflets telling the public to 'run, hide and tell' if they are caught up in an attack.

The flyer, which has been attacked as 'scaremongering' by critics, shows images of worried-looking people running down flights of stairs, cowering in the dark and anxiously talking on their mobile phones.

Police have been handing out leaflets telling people to 'run, hide and tell' if they are caught up in a Mumbai-style terrorist attack in Britain
Police have been handing out leaflets telling people to 'run, hide and tell' if they are caught up in a Mumbai-style terrorist attack in Britain

The campaign comes as a sweeping package of measures to tackle the threat from home-grown extremists and those returning from fighting with ISIS is set to go before Parliament.

Launching the campaign, Chief Constable of British Transport Police (BTP) Paul Crowther said: 'More than six million people travel on our railways every single day.

'For commuters, who make the same journey over and over again, it can be easy to become oblivious to their surroundings.

'But I would urge them to remain alert, use their instinct and have the confidence to report anything that strikes them as out-of-place or suspicious.

'Earlier this month a man was sentenced for terrorism offences after being caught in possession of information about how to make bombs.

'This was as a direct result of a rail passenger reporting suspicions to train staff. We need others to follow suit and play their part in keeping the UK's transport systems safe from terrorists.'

The leaflets were handed out around the country today as part of Counter Terrorism Awareness Week. 

But some have criticised the campaign, accusing the police of scaremongering and comparing the leaflets to the 'duck and cover' adverts of the early Cold War years.

Rochester's Chris Irvine said: 'I cannot believe that the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Metropolitan Police are putting this out.

'It's totally alarmist. I grew up in Northern Ireland but I have never seen anything like it. Obviously we have to take the threat seriously, but I don't see how striking the fear of God into people helps.'

Other rail passengers took to Twitter to express their anger at the campaign.

Gary Levy wrote: 'Did somebody get paid for coming up with this? Thought the country was broke! What a waste of money.'

And Michael Earl added: 'Unbelievable! They might as well just say "Run like hell and start a panic".'

Home Secretary Theresa May will today publish a Counter-terrorism and Security Bill containing a range of new powers, including a legal requirement by schools, prisons and councils to put in place policies to stop would-be extremists being radicalised.

Mrs May said: 'We are in the middle of a generational struggle against a deadly terrorist ideology. These powers are essential to keep up with the very serious and rapidly changing threats we face.

'In an open and free society, we can never entirely eliminate the threat from terrorism. But we must do everything possible in line with our shared values to reduce the risks posed by our enemies.

'This bill includes a considered, targeted set of proposals that will help to keep us safe at a time of very significant danger by ensuring we have the powers we need to defend ourselves.'

SLAUGHTER IN THE STREETS: FEARS THAT TERRORISTS IN BRITAIN MAY TRY TO EMULATE THE GROUP WHO BROUGHT BLOODSHED TO MUMBAI

Security chiefs believe Islamic extremists have taken inspiration from the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, in which terrorists went to crowded public places armed with machine guns and bombs.
The gang spread out across the Indian city slaughtering more than 160 people at locations they knew would be packed with people.
A group of Pakistani men linked to the terror group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba stormed buildings in Mumbai, killing 164 people. Nine of the gunmen died during the attacks, one survived and was later executed.

Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab brought terror to Mumbai in 2008 as part of a group of attackers which rampaged through the streets of India's financial capital for three days, killing 160 people
Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab brought terror to Mumbai in 2008 as part of a group of attackers which rampaged through the streets of India's financial capital for three days, killing 160 people

They targeted busy a railway station, a packed restaurant, two hotels, a cinema and a hospital.
The attacks only ended when commandos stormed the buildings, killing militants and rescuing hostages.
British Security Services have said that since the 7/7 attacks in 2005 – in which 52 people were killed by four bombers on London transport - around 40 UK terrorist plots have been disrupted.
Theresa May said this week: 'There have been attempts to conduct marauding "Mumbai-style" gun attacks on our streets, blow up the London Stock Exchange, bring down airliners, assassinate a British ambassador and murder serving members of our armed forces.




'I can't love my mum because she's not Muslim':

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  • Siddhartha Dhar was arrested in September along with eight other men 
  • They were questioned on suspicion of encouraging terrorist offences
  • Dhar was released on bail to reappear in December but fled the country
  • Later posted tweets boasting about how he could 'breeze' across Europe to Syria to join ISIS fighters because of a 'shoddy security system' 
  • This morning uploaded a photograph of himself posing with newborn boy 
A wanted terror suspect from London who claims not to love his own mother because she is not a Muslim has posted a photo of himself in Syria - posing with an AK47 gun and his newborn baby.

Siddhartha Dhar, 31, was one of nine men who were held under suspicion due to their alleged links with the radical hate preacher Anjem Choudary and the banned radical group, al-Muhajiroun in September.

Known by the nom de guerre, Abu Rumaysah, Dhar had been made to hand over his travel documents to police, in an attempt to prevent him leaving Britain.

Less than 24 hours after he was released on bail, Dhar took a bus to Paris with his pregnant wife and four young children. The family then travelled on to Syria, where they joined the Islamic State.

Dhar was interviewed by CBS News' 60 Minutes programme earlier this month, telling presenter Clarissa Wards that he was unable to love his mother because she was not a Muslim.

It is understood that Dhar is of Indian origin and was raised a Hindu before converting to Islam.

Sickening: This morning Siddhartha Dhar uploaded this image of him posing with a gun and his newborn baby boy in Islamic State-held area of Syria
Sickening: This morning Siddhartha Dhar uploaded this image of him posing with a gun and his newborn baby boy in Islamic State-held area of Syria
Siddhartha  Dhar, circled, disappeared only 24 hours after being released on police bail, the follower of Anjem Choudary, centre, took a coach to Paris with his family before travelling on to Syria
Siddhartha  Dhar, circled, disappeared only 24 hours after being released on police bail, the follower of Anjem Choudary, centre, took a coach to Paris with his family before travelling on to Syria

Just hours after publicly declaring he had arrived in Syria, the wanted terror suspect made another surprising announcement on Twitter. He revealed that he had become a father to a baby boy. 

'Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah), Allah (God) blessed me with a healthy baby boy in the Islamic State. Need to sort out aqeeqah.'

'He is another great addition to the Islamic State. And he definitely is not British. Will try to post a pic of him soon. Please make dua.'

 A photo was subsequently posted this morning, showing Dhar proudly standing beside a mustard coloured pickup truck, wearing a thick military style coat and boots. 

Held against his chest with his left arm is believed to be Dhar's newborn baby. The baby's face can be seen peaking out of its tightly knitted baby grow. 

In the same photo, Dhar is also shown holding a machine gun in his other hand. The gun is supported on his right shoulder, with the barrel pointing up towards the sky and away from his baby. 

Taunt: Dhar - who goes by the name of Abu Rumaysah - apparently tweeted these messages on Monday
Taunt: Dhar - who goes by the name of Abu Rumaysah - apparently tweeted these messages on Monday

This afternoon a woman in her twenties who is believed to be Dhar's sister spoke of how her family had been trying unsuccessfully to contact him since he left the country.

Speaking on the doorstep of their terraced home on the busy North Circular road of Edmonton, north London, she said: 'We ourselves are trying to reach out to him and haven't found a route.'

'We don't wish to speak to any media... I'm not going to tell you my name sorry.' As she spoke a second woman, thought to be Dhar's mother, appeared cradling a baby.

In an interview with Channel 4 News just weeks before his escape to Syria, Dhar publicly stated how he was desperate to live under Islamic State and wanted to denounce his British citizenship.

It appears Dhar was eager that his new son be born in the Islamic State rather than the UK.

The episode of CBS' 60 Minutes programme in which Dhar featured was titled 'Campaigning for ISIS in the West' and focused on Choudary's band of London-based radicals.

It featured interviews with a number of the group, with Dhar telling presenter Clarissa Wards that he is not able to love his own mother because she has not embraced Islam.

Prior to posting the photo of his newborn son, Dhar posted several tweets, proclaiming his love for Islamic State and the importance of the fight against the West.

Dhar wrote: 'The Islamic State will punish the tyrants in the West. The army of Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (ha) is coming. Rejoice O Muslims.' 


Police have 100 Scottish Islamic State sympathisers on their radar amid warnings Britain faces an attack

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DETECTIVES are monitoring up to 100 Islamic State sympathisers in Scotland amid a warning that the UK faces imminent attack.
Police said a number of Scots are among more than 500 UK residents who have travelled to Syria since the start of the bloody conflict.
Officers have uncovered evidence of terrorist fund raising here and yesterday urged the public only to donate to registered charities.
And they warned people to be on their guard with the threat of attack coming from organised groups to highly-motivated loners.
The current UK threat level is “Severe” meaning an attack is imminent.
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has urged everyone to play their part in reducing the risk of an atrocity.

He told the Record: “We have a number of investigations that have a Syrian connection and we have made interventions at different times.
“The bulk of the police work in the United Kingdom is centred on London but we have also seen the impact of the Syrian-related terrorist threat.
“It exists in Scotland and it is a challenge for us to counter that.
“If you have any concerns raise them and we will deal with them in a sensitive and proportionate manner.
“It might be the key intervention that prevents people dying.”
Livingstone was speaking at the launch of Counter Terrorism Week, which is designed to highlight themes ranging from crowded places and transport hubs.
Top tier targets in Scotland include Hampden, Celtic Park, Murrayfield, Ibrox and the SSE Hydro.
 Airports and shopping centres are vulnerable, especially in the run up to Christmas.
Terrorists have also historically struck on the public transport network in cities such as Madrid and London.
Livingstone said the terror landscape has changed beyond recognition in his lifetime.
He said: “Going back to the 1970s, 80s and 90s a lot of the terrorist threat came from the unstable political situation in Northern Ireland.
“We now know international events can have an impact in Scotland.
“Whether it’s regime change in Libya or instability in Syria and Iraq, it has an impact on people who come from Scotland, people who live in Scotland and therefore Scotland itself.
“It is much more international, it is much more proximate and it feels very close. There are no longer far away lands.
“Something could happen in Syria and have an impact in half an hour on the streets of Scotland.”
They include Aqsa Mahmood, 20 - who left Glasgow to marry an IS fighter in Syria – and Aberdeen man Abdul Rakib Amin, thought to be 26, who appeared in an Islamic State recruitment video.
There are other Scots among the 500 plus UK residents who have travelled to Syria but police would not be drawn on precise numbers.
One of the biggest challenges for law enforcement in establishing the true scale of the problem is the ease of movement with which people can now cross international borders.
Asked about the threat posed by ISIS in Scotland, Livingstone said: “We haven’t arrested anyone and no one is facing any charges.

“There are a number of investigations and that’s what is causing us concern.”
Detectives have identified up to 100 ISIS supporters in Scotland since the terror group rose to prominence.
Livingstone said: “It can be sharing videos, it can be espousing sympathetic thoughts.
“If it got to someone trying to raise funding we would look to identify that because that is an offence under the Terrorism Act.
“It can manifest itself in many ways but we need the support of the puclic to tell us that. Often a lot of these things are done in private space.
“Fundraising continues in Scotland and people should make sure it is a legitimate charity and not a front for a terrorist group.”
The senior officer admitted he finds it difficult to refer to IS by its full title.
Significant police work is under way in schools and with community and faith leaders in a bid to tackle the online threat of radicalisation.
Livingstone added: “It is dangerous.
“You will get dragged into a world of individuals who can’t be trusted and will seek to exploit you. Step back from it. Speak to your family. Speak to your teachers and community leaders.
 “It is extremely dangerous.
“We need everybody to support such individuals and make sure if there are any signs that they are quickly identified and they can get the support that they need.”
Scotland has hosted global events this year such as the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and MTV Music Awards without major incidents.
But Livingstone said the threat remains real.
He added: “Attacks can occur without any build up or from a highly motivated individual or group of individuals.
“We know from experience that terrorism does happen in Scotland and we can’t be complacent.”
A posting from the Twitter account of Aqsa Mahmood, a teenage student from Glasgow who has travelled to Syria to join up with ISIS. She uses the name Umm Layth online.

The senior officer also urged Record readers to play their part in combating the problem.
He said: “It is really important we don’t allow extremist ideology to circulate in Scotland.
“Everyone has a crucial role to play in keeping people safe from terrorism.”
He urged Scots not watch or share the harrowing execution videos posted online by Islamic State.
He said: “It is quite clearly outrageously distasteful.
“Part of the terrorist ideology is to make sure that people see these things and that people are intimidated by them and it serves their ends.
“Don’t fuel terrorist propaganda by sharing these horrendous videos.”

Jihadi fighters in Iraq and Syria funding terror campaign with BENEFITS claimed in Britain

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  • Scotland Yard counter-terror chief Terri Nicholson reveals 'shocking' fraud
  • Jihadists fighting for ISIS are fraudulently claiming taxpayers’ money
  • A 'number of cases' discovered of terrorists making student loan claims
  • Comes after two brothers became first Britons jailed for fighting in Syria
Jihadi fighters in the Middle East are claiming benefits in the UK to fund terror, police chiefs have revealed.

Scotland Yard counter-terror officer Terri Nicholson revealed terrorists fighting for ISIS in Iraq and Syria were fraudulently claiming taxpayers’ money to fund attacks abroad.

She revealed there had been ‘a number of cases’ of terrorists making student loan claims to fund their activities.

31-year-old Mohommod Hassin Nawaz, from Dirleton Road, Stratford, east London, England
23-year-old Hamza Nawaz, from Dirleton Road, Stratford, east London
Mohommod Hassin Nawaz, 31, and Hamza Nawaz, 23, have been jailed for conspiracy to attend a place used for terrorist training after returning from Syria

The revelation sparked fury among MPs today. Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, said the prospect of benefits being used to fund overseas terror was ‘shocking’.

Mr Vaz said: ‘It is shocking that this is happening. We need to see assurances from government that the integrity of the student loan and benefits system has not been compromised, with the full cooperation of the banking network.’

It comes as two brothers from east London became the first Britons to be jailed for fighting in Syria, having gone to a training camp in the country.

Another jihadist, who skipped bail to fight in Syria, used Twitter to mock the lapse in security that allowed him to flee.

Miss Nicholson, a Met Assistant Commander, told the Telegraph that terrorists were using ‘innovative’ techniques to rip off the taxpayer.

She said: ‘We are seeing a diverse fraud, including substantial fraud online, abuse of the benefits system, abuse of student loans, in order to fund terrorism.’

Philip Davies, the Tory MP, added: ‘I know the Government has been cracking down on benefit fraud. It seems to me that this shows that if anything, they need to go further.’

He added: ‘It is sickening to think that [UK money is funding terror plots] but whenever there is any money being doled out, it’s obvious that terrorists will be trying to get their hands on as much of it as possible.

Labour chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz said the revelation that benefits were being used to fund terror were 'shocking'
Labour chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz said the revelation that benefits were being used to fund terror were 'shocking'

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: ‘No one should doubt our commitment to rooting out benefit fraud.’

Miss Nicholson also revealed that women were being used to smuggle thousands of pounds in cash out of Britain to fund terrorists abroad.

Earlier this month, Amal El Wahabi, a British mother-of-two, was jailed for more than two years for trying to arrange to smuggle £16,000 to her jihadist husband fighting in Syria. 

She misled her friend, Nawal Msaad, into carrying the cash in her underwear.


Chilling moment member of 13-strong Somali prostitution gang checks in to a Premier Inn hotel before raping 13-year-old girl in a room with another man

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  • Jusuf Abdirizak, 20, and Said Zakaria, 22, raped girl three times in hotel
  • They were members of a gang who abused four schoolgirls
  • Three of the girls were white and one was mixed race 
  • They believed they were in relationships with the defendants
  • Some were persuaded to have sex with their 'boyfriend's' friends and told this was part of Somali 'culture and tradition' 
  • Another victim, 16, had been placed in a city centre flat on her own
  • Abusers used her home as a base to sell drugs 
  • Seven men were convicted of sex offences at trial in the summer
  • Other six, plus Zakaria, who was involved in first trial, convicted yesterday
  • They were in custody today and will be sentenced tomorrow 
  • A 14th man linked to the gang admitted supplying cocaine in first trial
This is the chilling moment a member of a 13-strong Somali prostitution gang checks into a hotel where he and a friend would rape a 13-year-old schoolgirl three times.

Jusuf Abdirizak, 20, can be seen at the reception of the Premier Inn in Bristol where he and Said Zakaria, 22, attacked the girl, who had been trafficked across the city having already been raped by another man.

Abdirizak and Zakaria were both facing jail today after they and 11 other men were convicted for their parts in the rape, abuse and prostitution of four British teenagers, who were were preyed upon and passed around the men's friends for money.
  
Caught on camera: Jusuf Abdirizak, 20, aka Starns, is seen on CCTV cameras at the Premier Inn in Bristol checks in to a room where he and Said Zakaria, 22, raped a 13-year-old schoolgirl
Caught on camera: Jusuf Abdirizak, 20, aka Starns, is seen on CCTV cameras at the Premier Inn in Bristol checks in to a room where he and Said Zakaria, 22, raped a 13-year-old schoolgirl
Ordeal: The girl was pinned to a bed in the hotel room and raped by Zakaria, before he took her into the bathroom and raped her a second time. The girl went back into the bedroom where Abdirizak raped her
Ordeal: The girl was pinned to a bed in the hotel room and raped by Zakaria, before he took her into the bathroom and raped her a second time. The girl went back into the bedroom where Abdirizak raped her
Said Zakaria, 22, whose nickname was 'Target', was involved in both trials
Zakaria and Jusuf Abdirizak, 20, (pictured) aka Starns, booked a room in the Premier Inn in Bristol where one girl was taken
Hotel:  Zakaria, 22, (left) whose nickname was 'Target', was involved in both trials. The second heard he and Abdirizak, 20, aka Starns, (right) booked a room in the Premier Inn in Bristol where one girl was raped

Several of the girls were groomed to the extent they believed the sexual abuse was part of loving relationships they were having with the defendants, and that having sex with their 'boyfriend's' friends was part of their 'culture and tradition'.

Of the four girls, three were white and one mixed race, with a fifth girl witnessing many of the sickening assaults.
The girls, aged between just 13 and 17 were in local authority care and fell into the evil clutches of the paedophiles who used the fear of rape to control them. 

Some were persuaded to have sex with their 'boyfriend's' friends as it was Somali 'culture and tradition' and 'men always have sex with each other's girlfriends'. 

The victims, described as 'vulnerable' due to their age and circumstances, were paid as little as £30 or given drugs, alcohol and gifts to perform sex acts on older men. 

Brothers: Mohamed Jumale, known as Deeq, (left) convinced girls it was 'his tradition' for the girl to have sex with his friends, including his brother Omar Jumale (right)
Mohamed Dahir, 22, known as Kamal, was convicted of causing or inciting A into child prostitution
Omar Jumale who has been found guilty of his involvement in a Somali gang who abused school aged girls in Bristol
Mohamed Jumale, known as Deeq, convinced girls it was 'his tradition' for the girl to have sex with his friends, including his brother Omar
Abdirashid Abdulahi, 21, who was nicknamed Abs, was also convicted of rape in relation to victim C
Second trial: Mohamed Dahir, 22, known as Kamal, was convicted of causing or inciting A into child prostitution, while Abdirashid Abdulahi, 21, nicknamed Abs, was convicted of rape in relation to victim C

A total of 14 men were convicted of charges including rape, sexual activity with a child, facilitating child prostitution, trafficking, paying for the sexual services of a child and drug offences.

Defendants were tried in two separate trials at Bristol Crown Court this year, with eight jailed for between 18 months and 13 years following the first one this summer.

The remaining seven men, were convicted by a jury yesterday following 32 hours and 17 minutes of deliberations, and will be sentenced at the court tomorrow.

The conviction of the men can be reported for the first time after the conclusion of a second trial at Bristol Crown Court.  
Rape: Sakariya Sheik, 21, or Zac, was found guilty of one charge of rape, relating to victim D, and another of sexual activity with A after the second trial and will be sentenced tomorrow
Rape: Sakariya Sheik, 21, or Zac, was found guilty of one charge of rape, relating to victim D, and another of sexual activity with A after the second trial and will be sentenced tomorrow
The Bristol case comes after allegations, convictions and resignations over organised child abuse and exploitation across English towns and cities including Rotherham, Rochdale, Oxford and Telford.

Serious case reviews are now underway to try to understand how the girls became victims.

Avon and Somerset Police uncovered a two-year catalogue of abuse against 10 girls during their investigation into the Somali men, codenamed Operation Brooke.

The first trial centred on a group of Somali drug dealers based in the Stapleton Road area of Easton in Bristol and their exploitation of primarily one teenage girl.

She had been moved into a flat on her own in Bristol and left almost unsupervised by social workers from outside the city.

Police found her wearing just a bra and knickers cowering in a cupboard under a sink. She told them 'they made me do stuff'.

Zakaria, who was known to his friends as Target, was involved in both the first and the second trials.
He admitted supplying cocaine and heroin but the convictions could not be reported until the end of the second trial because of the overlap.

The first trial heard how the abusers used the flat of the 16 year-old girl in Easton, Bristol as a base for supplying drugs.

She became the target of sexual exploitation, together with two sisters who would visit her.

It was only when the younger sister ran away from her foster parents, and police visited the flat looking for her, that authorities uncovered what was happening.

Mustapha Farah, 20, aka Greens, Liban Abdi, 21, alias Leftback, and Arafat Osman, 20, aka Lefteye, were convicted of preying on vulnerable teenage girls and paying for their sexual services.

Idleh Osman, 21, known as Sniper was found guilty of arranging or facilitating payment for sexual services of a child.

All four also pleaded guilty to a supplying heroin and cocaine.

Mustafa Deria, 22, and Abdulahi Aden, 20, known as Trigger, were found guilty of rape.

Liban Abdi, 21, was convicted of convicted of preying on vulnerable teenage girls and paying for their sexual services and jailed following the first trial
Mustapha Farah who has been convicted of preying on vulnerable teenage girls and paying for their sexual services
First trial: Liban Abdi, 21, (left) and Mustapha Farah, 21, (right) were convicted of convicted of preying on vulnerable teenage girls and paying for their sexual services and jailed following the first trial
Idleh Osman,22,  known as Sniper who has been found guilty of arranging or facilitating payment for sexual services of a child
Arafat Ahmed Osman, 20, was also a member of the gang
Role: Idleh Osman, 22,  (left) known as Sniper who has been found guilty of arranging or facilitating payment for sexual services of a child, while Arafat Ahmed Osman, 20, (right) was also a member of the gang

Aden was also found guilty of supplying cocaine and heroine, as well as admitting two counts of possession of indecent photos of a child.

Another man, Mohamed Jama, 23, known as Magic, admitted supplying cocaine with Zakaria who also admitted supplying heroin.

Greens, Lefteye and Trigger were given 13 years behind bars, Sniper, 10 years, Leftback 13 years and eight months and Deria, seven years six months.

A ninth man was acquitted.

The second trial focused on another group of young Somali men - but included Zakaria - and their grooming and subsequent sexual abuse of young girls in Bristol.

Mohamed Jumale, 24, Mohamed Dahir, 22, Zakaria, Abdizirak, Omar Jumale, 20, Abdirashid Abdulahi, 21 and Sakariah Sheik, 21, were all convicted of child sexual exploitation offences yesterday.

Abdulahi Aden who has been found guilty of rape
Mustafa Deria who has been found guilty of rape
Verdict: Both Abdulahi Aden, 20, (left) and Mustafa Deria, 22, (right) were found guilty of rape in the first trial

During this second trial, the court heard that Mohamed Jumale, known as Deeq, convinced girls it was 'his tradition' for the girl to have sex with his friends.

He was convicted of one count of rape, seven of sexual activity with a child and one of aiding or abetting another into the same offences.

Four of the counts were against victim A.

Anna Vigars, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, said: 'He wanted her to have sex with his friends, that that was his tradition, his culture and that that was what always happened.

'Men always have sex with each other's girlfriends.

 She didn't believe him but that is the line he was feeding her.

'She was saying no to him, telling him she wasn't interested, but he made her have sex with all of the men.'

The court heard how the Somalis had 'a good knack' of preying on vulnerabilities and groomed their naive victims into thinking the men loved them and were their 'boyfriends'.

The children began to believe the abuse they were subjected to was 'normal' and 'expected of them'.  

The court heard the despicable web began to unravel after booked a hotel room so they could take turns raping girl A in December 2012.

Zakaria and Abdirizak, who was nicknamed Starns, booked the room in the Premier Inn in Bristol.

Zakaria persuaded victim A and a friend to go there and he picked them up but took them first to a flat in Barton Hill, Bristol.

There A was raped by an unknown man before being driven to the hotel where she was taken to a room and told to strip so Zakaria could have sex with her.

She was pinned to a bed and lay with her eyes closed as he raped her once and then a second time, over the sink in the bathroom.

The girl went back into the bedroom where Abdirizak raped her.

A few months later Jumale then forced her to have sex with his brother Omar, telling her he was worried he wanted to 'turn gay'.

Three other girls were also sexually assaulted by the defendants.

Would-be model: Mohamed Jumale, who convinced girls it was 'his tradition' for the girl to have sex with his friends and forced one to have sex with his brother, uploaded this picture to an online modelling profile
Would-be model: Mohamed Jumale, who convinced girls it was 'his tradition' for the girl to have sex with his friends and forced one to have sex with his brother, uploaded this picture to an online modelling profile
Drugs: Farah (pictured) was a member of the drug-dealing gang used the flat of the 16 year-old girl in Easton, Bristol as a base for supplying drugs. He also admitted supplying heroin and cocaine
Drugs: Farah (pictured) was a member of the drug-dealing gang used the flat of the 16 year-old girl in Easton, Bristol as a base for supplying drugs. He also admitted supplying heroin and cocaine

Zakaria was found guilty of two counts of rape, two of sexual activity with a child and one of trafficking, all related to A.
Abdirizak was also found guilty of raping A while in the hotel room.

Mohammed Dahir, 22, known as Kamal, was convicted of causing or inciting A into child prostitution.

Sakariya Sheik, 21, or Zac, was found guilty of one charge of rape, relating to victim D, and another of sexual activity with A.

Abdirashid Abdulahi, Abs, was also convicted of rape in relation to victim C.

Finally, Omar Jumble was found guilty of sexual activity with A.

Ms Vigars added: 'Some of those girls knew each other, some didn’t, some had heard of each other.
Money: Aden poses with a large amount of cash and a cigarette in this picture. He was found guilty of rape in the first trial
Money: Aden poses with a large amount of cash and a cigarette in this picture. He was found guilty of rape in the first trial
'But what these girls have in common is that they were used by these men for sex.

'It is about the defendants simply using the girls to satisfy themselves whenever they felt like it, doing it so often that no doubt it began to feel normal as far as these girls were concerned.

'There are elements of exhibitionism too with sex taking place in front of other people in the group. Much of it is sordid, none of it is romantic.'

The jury was read transcripts of a police interview with Zakaria in which he was asked about the incident at the Premier Inn.

‘Target’ claimed he did not know the girls were aged just 13 - insisting they were 16 and 17 - but admitted they had given the men oral sex in the hotel room.

He described both girls as 'dirty slags' and told police: “Now that’s all that happened that night and we left, they left with us and I don’t know why obviously it’s taken them this long to claim this.

'I just think they feel, they feel a bit burnt because I’ve got to be honest with you, I used to speak to a lot of girls in Bristol and I’ve got to see all their true colours now, so I just told them all to f*** off, I’m being honest with you, sorry to swear, but I just told them all to hit the road.

'They’re both slags innit, they’re both dirty slags, they got used and abused and now they’re saying rah, rah, rah, whose making them do anything they don’t want to do?

'Everyone knows what they’re there for innit, they come there to s*** d*** and then f*** off, that’s what they come for.' 

Judge Julian Lambert will sentence the seven defendants for the 20 charges they were convicted of, relating to four victims, tomorrow.

They were all remanded in custody after yesterday's verdicts. 

Two defendants, Jibril Mohamed, 21, and Dauud Osman, 19, were acquitted of the charges they faced.

The shocking case can only be reported for the first time today because restrictions placed upon the media were lifted at the conclusion of the second trial.

The investigation into 17 defendants was launched after police received information about the rapes in a Premier Inn hotel room.

Officers uncovered a two-year catalogue of abuse against British girls by Somali men in Bristol which started in 2011.
The intelligence-led investigation was assisted by members of the Somali community and vulnerable victims, who showed 'remarkable courage' coming forward to police.

'THE COMMUNITY IS DEEPLY SHOCKED': THE BRISTOL SOMALI FORUM CONDEMNS THE GANG'S 'UNFORGIVABLE' ACTS

'The community is deeply shocked and shaken by the outcome of this case. They are unforgivable acts of cruelty against the most vulnerable members of our community. Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims and their families who must be experiencing extreme trauma and pain.
'The Muslim communities in Bristol would like to make it absolutely clear we wholeheartedly condemn these dreadful evil acts. It is right and appropriate that those responsible, and found guilty through our judiciary process are punished to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of who they are.
'The grooming of children, and child abuse are crimes, which impact on all sections of our society, irrespective of class, colour, faith or race. It is therefore everyone’s duty to ensure we protect the most vulnerable members of our community and work with the appropriate authorities to identify anyone at risk of falling victim to these appalling crimes.'
Detective Inspector Gary Stephens, who led the investigation, said: 'They were aged between 13 and 17 at the time of the offences.

'Not all the victims knew each other but some had heard of each other.

 Some of the victims were being 'passed around' by the defendants and taken to venues specifically to be sexually exploited, sometimes for money.'

Chief Superintendent Julian Moss, head of Avon and Somerset Police's CID department, said the 10 victims are all now being supported by specialist teams in Bristol.

'I'd like to stress how important it is to remember that such vulnerable victims often don't realise they're being abused and don't recognise the signs of abuse,' he said.

'Some of the victims in the second trial believed they were in 'relationships' with the defendants, adding to the complexity of their vulnerability.

'The victims showed remarkable courage in giving evidence at this trial.'

The second trial featured six victims, one who was a witness in proceedings, who were abused at a number of locations across Bristol.

Evidence gathered by officers included phone, computer and social media, such as Facebook exchanges and text messages, and CCTV footage.

Howard Phillips, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said: 'These cases have unmasked the horrors of child sexual exploitation and child abusers everywhere should take note of these convictions.

 Vulnerable young people were used by these men for their own gratification, convinced that what was happening to them was normal, and controlled through systematic abuse and the promise of drugs and affection.

'The victims in this case have been incredibly brave in coming forward and giving evidence at court. I hope these results will stand as a testament to their bravery and give other victims the courage to come forward to the police secure in the knowledge they will be listened to. 

Every victim has a voice and deserves to have that voice heard.

'Child sexual exploitation has a devastating impact, not only on the victims and their families but the communities in which both the victims and defendants live.

'The CPS takes child sexual exploitation extremely seriously and we have worked closely with the police and other partners from the very beginning in order to bring the strongest possible case to court which has resulted in the conviction of 13 men.'

Barnardo’s South West & Midlands Director Hugh Sherriffe said: 'Barnardo’s has worked closely with Avon and Somerset Police throughout this investigation to support the young victims through our BASE service in Bristol.

 Working together and sharing knowledge has enabled a successful outcome in this case.

'Our dedicated team has provided personalised support to each of the young victims before and during court proceedings. We will continue to be there for them to aid their recovery from these horrendous crimes.'

Madeline Spicer, Victim Support's witness service manager at Bristol Crown Court, said: 'This is a horrifying case where vulnerable people, including children, were sexually exploited by nefarious men.

 We have been heavily involved supporting the victims in court as they gave the evidence that convicted these men.

'All the victims spoke to the court via video link so they did not have to face their abusers, with one of our highly trained volunteers to support them.

 My team saw first hand just how difficult it was for those victims to relive the horrendous ordeal they've been through.'

THE GANG MEMBERS, THE CHARGES THEY FACED AND THEIR SENTENCES 

Eight defendants appeared in the first trial, which lasted eight weeks, and have already received custodial sentences.
A further seven, including one defendant, Said Zakaria, from the first trial, appeared in the second trial, which lasted 10 weeks.
Here are the men, the charges they faced and the sentences received.
TRIAL ONE 
Liban ABDI 'Left Back', 21, of no fixed abode
Convicted of paying for sexual services of a child (Girl A), admitted supplying cocaine and heroin, admitted a separate charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to a prison officer.
Jailed for a total of 13 years and eight months.
Mustapha FARAH 'Greens', 21, of no fixed abode
Convicted of paying for sexual services of a Girl A, convicted of supplying heroin and cocaine.
Jailed for a total of 13 years.
Arafat OSMAN 'Left Eye', 20, of no fixed abode - ran the drugs business
Convicted of paying for sexual services Girl A, admitted supplying heroin and cocaine. 
Jailed for a total of 13 years.
Idleh OSMAN 'Sniper', 22, of Bishopsworth, Bristol - Arafat Osman's 'chief organiser' in the drug business
Found guilty of facilitating child prostitution (Girl A), admitted supplying heroin and cocaine. 
Jailed for a total of 10 years. 
Abdulahi ADEN 'Trigger', 20, of no fixed abode
Convicted of rape (Girl B), admitted possession of indecent pictures of a child (Girl D), admitted supplying heroin and cocaine. 
Jailed for a total of 13 years.
Mustafa DERIA 'Magic's cousin', 22, of no fixed abode
Convicted of rape (Girl A).
Jailed for a total of seven years and six months.
Said ZAKARIA 'Target', 22, of Easton, Bristol
Admitted supplying cocaine and heroin.  
Jailed for a total of five years.
Mohamed JAMA 'Magic', 20, of no fixed abode
Admitted supplying cannabis.
Jailed for a total of 18 months.
TRIAL TWO (To be sentenced on Friday)
Mohamed JUMALE 'Deeq', 24
Guilty of one count of rape (Complainant 2), guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child (Complainant 1), guilty of one count of sexual activity with Complainant 2, guilty of one count of aiding and abetting Omar Jumale in sexual activity with Complainant 1.
Omar JUMALE, 20, brother of Mohamed Jumale
Guilty of one count of sexual activity with Complainant 1.
Mohamed DAHIR 'Kamal', 22
Guilty of one count of causing or inciting a child into child prostitution (Complainant 1).
Sakariah SHEIK, 'Zac', 21
Guilty of one count of rape (Complainant 5), guilty of one count of sexual activity with a Complainant 1.
Said ZAKARIA 'Target', 22
Guilty of two counts of rape (Complainant 1), guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a Complainant 1, guilty of one count of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation (Complainant 1).
Jusuf ABDIZIRAK 'Starns', 20
Guilty of one count of rape (Complainant 1).
Abdirashid ABDULAHI 'Abs', 21
Guilty of one count of rape (Complainant 4).
Said Zakaria appeared in both trials.
The jury reached not guilty verdicts for charges involving Complainant 3. Nine victims featured in the charges, with a further victim appearing as a witness.
Girl, 15, told she was 'beautiful' and pressurised into sex with strangers tells of her grooming ordeal at the hands of the gang  

A young victim described to the court how the men pressurised her to have sex with strangers - telling her she was 'beautiful' and insisting they were the same age as her.

The girl, who is now aged 15, lost her virginity to Mohamed Jumale after being groomed by him from the age of 11 when she met him on Facebook.

Jumale, known as Deeq, later instructed her to have sex with his brother Omar Jumale and two other men under a bridge by a B&Q car park in Bristol.

Checking in: Jusuf Abdirazak, aka Starns, is seen checking into the hotel room where the girl was raped three times, twice by Zakaria and once by Abdirazak
Checking in: Jusuf Abdirazak, aka Starns, is seen checking into the hotel room where the girl was raped three times, twice by Zakaria and once by Abdirazak

He insisted it was 'his tradition, his culture and it was what always happened' and the girl was raped by the men, prosecutor Anna Vigars told the jury.

The girl was introduced to other defendants through a girlfriend, who she suspected was being prostituted to earn money for their drugs.

She described how the pair would go to Easton because 'we had nothing else to do' and met Said Zakaria, known as Target, on a number of occasions.

'He said "how old are you?" and I said 14 and he said "the same",' the girl told the court.
'He said he was the same age as me and I don’t lie about my age.

 When I first meet people I am always a bit scared and this time it was me and my friend and we were in a room with six other boys.

'It was a bit scary. He asked me how I was and I said "I’m ok".'

Bill: The receipt from Abdirazak's hotel booking, which was a key piece of evidence in the case
Bill: The receipt from Abdirazak's hotel booking, which was a key piece of evidence in the case
The girls went to the house on around 20 occasions from October 2012 and would listen to music, smoke cannabis, chew khat and chat with Zakaria and other men.

Her friend, who was a prosecution witness, would smoke cannabis, though the girl did not, and have sex with men in the house, Bristol Crown Court heard.

'I think sometimes they might have been getting money from having sex from her,” she said.

'If they would run out of weed that’s when she would have sex with them. That’s when they would get weed.

'I saw one of the guys with money after she had sex with one. Whenever I mentioned it to her she changed the subject.

'The man was about 40, he came, went into the bedroom with her, gave the man money and left.'

The victim told how the men tried to pressurise her into smoking cannabis with them and having sex with men at the property.

'I didn’t want to be a mess like my friend when she smoked weed and I just didn’t want to end up like that, having sex with people,' she said.

'I didn’t want to have sex with anyone. She looked so tired after.'

During one of her visits to the house, the girl was sat on a sofa when a man began groping her leg.

She was told to 'stop being boring and worried' and the man, in his late 20s or early 30s, began pestering her for sex.

'They were saying "have sex with him, he’s not going to hurt you, he’s a nice guy",' she said.

'His eyes were red and he looked a mess. I was scared. I thought they were going to do what they had done to my friend and get me to have sex with him.

'I thought he was probably going to rape me and no-one would hear.

'He was saying "can I have sex with you" and I said "no, why would I have sex with you? I don’t know you" and he said "because you’re beautiful".'

But by December 2012, the girl had become 'used' to being abused and, aged 13, was raped four times by three men in one evening.

She was first raped by a man at a flat in Barton Hill, Bristol then driven to a nearby Premier Inn in the city centre where she was attacked a further three times.

Zakaria raped the girl twice in the hotel room’s bathroom, as well as by Jusuf Abdirazak, who had booked the hotel for the night.

Mrs Vigars told the jury: 'None of us want to think that, in a perfectly respectable hotel about half a mile from where we’re sitting now, a 13-year-old girl was raped three times in one evening by two different men, four times in one evening if you include what happened to her at Barton Hill.'

In a harrowing interview, the girl described how she was too terrified to scream during the attacks as other men were waiting just outside the bathroom.

'I didn’t want them to know what was going on,' the teenager said.
In early 2013, the victim began to confide in police what had been happening and an investigation was launched, with officers identifying Zakaria and other defendants.

WHY WAS VULNERABLE 16-YEAR-OLD LEFT ALONE AND UNSUPERVISED?

Questions: Judge Michael Roach questioned the wisdom of social workers who placed a vulnerable teenage girl alone in a flat in Bristol
Questions: Judge Michael Roach questioned the wisdom of social workers who placed a vulnerable teenage girl alone in a flat in Bristol
A judge questioned the wisdom of social workers placing a vulnerable teenage girl alone a flat and left almost unsupervised in inner city Bristol - leading to her being raped and prostituted by Somali drug dealers.

Judge Michael Roach spoke out at the end of a two-month trial after hearing how the 16-year-old girl was living alone in the flat with just two hours of supervision a day from care workers.

The girl - whose life was in 'chaos' - had been placed there in January last year by social workers from a local authority outside of Bristol.

She had fallen in with the Somali men having gone to buy cannabis from them and it was not long before they were using her flat to sell drugs and also regularly having sex with her, sometimes for money.

Following a two-month trial at Bristol Crown Court this summer six men were convicted of a range of sex and drugs offences.

They were Liban Abdi 'Left Back', Mustapha Farah 'Greens', Arafat Osman 'Left Eye', Idleh Osman 'Sniper', Abdulahi Aden 'Trigger' and Mustafa Deria.

Two other men, Said Zakaria 'Target' and Mohamed Jama 'Magic', were convicted of drugs charges. A ninth defendant, Gama Mohamed 'G' was acquitted of sex charges.

Jailing the men, Judge Roach said: 'The offences for which these defendants fall to be sentenced are offences which centre upon the serious sexual abuse or exploitation of a child against the background of drug dealing in the Easton area of Bristol.

'I know that the drug trade in Bristol blights many parts of the city. It ruins the lives of many, not just the users but also their families and their dependants.

'It has been said many times before - and it is true - it is a filthy trade.

'The child who was the subject of the exploitation or abuse was 16 when she came from outside the city to live in the Easton area.

'She was a very troubled girl. The decision was taken to place her in a flat on her own. Save for limited supervision she was left to her own devices without the support of her family and friends.

'She didn't know Bristol or the city at all. On the evidence she was very isolated. Consequently within a day or two of her arrival she fell prey to these defendants and their associates.

'They took considerable advantage of her.

'I hope there will be an opportunity for the authorities to reconsider their thinking behind such a placement because it has, on any retrospective view, added considerably to the damage of that young person.'

Judge Roach added: 'Girls of her age - whatever their experience - need the protection of the law. The treatment of her in my judgement was extremely serious.'

The girl's five-month ordeal ended when police went to the flat on the night of May 17 last year looking for a 14-year-old runaway.

The teenager, known only as Girl B for legal reasons, had gone to the flat because she was the sister of the tenant, identified as Girl A.

When police found Girl B, who was living in a children's home, she was hiding in a cupboard under the sink in the kitchen, in just her underwear.

'She was very upset, in tears, with her makeup running down her face. Girl B said to the police "they made me do stuff",' prosecutor Anna Vigars said.

'One of the women police officers went to speak to her and she said that one of the men had forced himself on her, he had raped her.'

She was returned to the care of social services and three days later, Girl B spoke to the police about raped in the bathroom by Trigger.

He was arrested and told police: 'Nobody ain't touched that little girl.' He later said he thought she was 17 and their sexual contact was consensual.

Another teenager, known only as Girl C, was a friend of Girl B and also spent time at the flat. She alleged she had also been raped at the flat by Gama Mohamed.

A fourth girl - Girl D - did not wish to speak to the police and did not know any of the other victims. But Trigger admitted possessing indecent images of children after police found naked photographs of 16-year-old Girl D on his phone.

After police smashed the sex ring, Girl A described to detectives one occasion where she had sex with a man who later refused to pay.

'Sometimes I'd just be like I couldn't even be bothered to fight or argue for it because it's hard to tell them at the end of the day "No I don't want to do it" but half the time I did, because it was obviously just being close to someone," she told officers.

'Half the time I didn't really want it for the money, I just wanted someone to be there, do you know what I mean? 

Even though I know they were using me for sex and that, sometimes it's just nice to be close to someone, do you know what I mean?'

Seven men and teenage boy arrested in investigation into child grooming after raids in Rochdale and Oldham

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  • A 16-year-old boy and seven men arrested in Rochdale and Oldham raids
  • A seventh man, aged 20, was later arrested in connection with investigation
  • Eight held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit sexual acts with a child
  • Operation launched after three teenagers were going missing from home
  • A girl suggested she was being groomed and the eight were arrested
  • Raid follows crackdown on sexual exploitation in Rochdale after nine men were convicted of running a child sex ring, targeting vulnerable girls
Eight people have been arrested as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation.

Six men and a 16-year-old boy were arrested in raids in Rochdale and Oldham this morning and are now being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to commit sexual acts with a child. A seventh man was arrested later and is also being questioned.

The investigation was set up because police were trying to establish why teenagers aged between 13 and 15 in the area were going missing from home, when one suggested she was being groomed.

Eight people have been arrested in early raids in Rochdale (pictured) and Oldham and are being questioned by police on suspicion of conspiracy to commit sexual acts with a child, one of the eight is a 16-year-old boy
Eight people have been arrested in early raids in Rochdale (pictured) and Oldham and are being questioned by police on suspicion of conspiracy to commit sexual acts with a child, one of the eight is a 16-year-old boy

The operation was launched in the wake of the Rochdale child sex grooming gang scandal, where vulnerable girls were exploited by a gang of nine men who plied them with drink before passing them around for sex

. The case led to an increased awareness of sexual exploitation and the need to protect children from becoming victims in the area.

Early morning raids today led to arrests of the seven, who are aged between 16 and 47. The raids were led by Sunrise, a dedicated sexual exploitation police team in Rochdale.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Aston said: 'The Sunrise team were initially looking at reasons why the children - two girls aged 15 and 13 and a 13-year-old boy - were going missing from home. Officers spoke to one of the girls who suggested they were being groomed between 16 September and 17 October 2014.

'A swift investigation was launched and agencies worked together which has resulted in these arrests across the Rochdale and Oldham areas plus the safeguarding of three vulnerable children.'

Paul Marshall, assistant director for children's social care at Rochdale Council said the raids were part of work being done in the area to tackle child sexual exploitation. 

He said: 'The success of Operation Infrared means that three vulnerable children are now safe and seven people have been arrested as part of this investigation.'

Last month police investigating sex grooming of children arrested 11 people suspected of abusing a group of seven school-aged girls.The suspects - nine men and two women aged 19 to 38 - were held on supsicion of offences including rape, and inciting a child into prostitution during raids on six properties. 

This was also part of the wider campaign to tackle child sexual exploitation. 

A report into the child sex ring in Rotherham and Oldham, run by the nine-strong gang and exposed last year, found the girls were let down by all 17 agencies that were meant to protect them.

The report criticised social workers, police and the Crown Prosecution Service for failing to work together to tackle the grooming which led to dozens of vulnerable girls being abused by the gang.

MUST WATCH VIDEO

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POLICE ARE QUICK TO STOP AN INDOOR BRITAIN FIRST MEETING BUT DO NOTHING TO STOP ISIS SUPPORTERS PREACHING HATE IN THE STREETS, NEITHER DO THEY TRY TO STOP ANJEM CHOUDARY, THE ISLAMIC HATE PREACHER FROM PREACHING HATE IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN. WHO'S SIDE ARE THE POLICE ON??



British ISIS fighter blows himself up in suicide mission in Iraq

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  • Abu Hajar al-Britani used 1800kg of explosives to blow himself up in car
  • Killed several Iraqi security force troops in attack in Baiji, northern Iraq 
  • ISIS claims he also destroyed tanks and artillery to become a martyr
  • Thought to be the 29th British jihadist to die fighting in Iraq and Syria
  • He is the second British extremist to blow himself up for ISIS this month
Abu Hajar al-Britani reportedly carried out the martyrdom mission in the strategic Iraqi town of Baiji today and ISIS claims the Brit also destroyed a significant number of tanks and artillery equipment. 

A photo was released by ISIS' media branch for the province of Salahuddin, showing Abu Hajar al-Britani in full military uniform. 

Blew himself up: Abu Hajar al-Britani reportedly carried out the martyrdom mission in the strategic Iraqi town of Baiji, northern Iraq, today
Blew himself up: Abu Hajar al-Britani reportedly carried out the martyrdom mission in the strategic Iraqi town of Baiji, northern Iraq, today

His face is covered with a black balaclava and his gloved left hand is raised, with his index finger extended to the sky to signify his belief in Allah being the one true God. 

In his right hand, Abu Hajar carries a machine gun, its wooden barrel appearing polished in the photo. 

A gold decorated copy of the Qu'ran can be seen tucked into the pocket of his rucksack strap - the holy book is positioned right next to his heart.

There have been no further details released about the real identity of the deceased British fighter.

Abu Hajar is the second British ISIS extremist to blow himself up in a suicide bomb mission in Baiji.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Kabir Ahmed had carried out a suicide bombing mission for ISIS - killing eight Iraqi police officers.

Known as Abu Sumayah al-Britani, the 32-year-old from Derby was a father of-two who had previously told BBC Newsnight that he was desperate to join the 'waiting list' to become a suicide bomber. 

Ahmed had been jailed in the UK for gay hate crimes after handing out leaflets calling for the execution of homosexuals.
Abdul Waheed Majid, aka the 'Crawley bomber', was the first British fighter to carry out a martyrdom operation in Syria. 

Known as Suleiman al-Britani, the 41-year-old was seen calmly chatting to several fighters before his death in a video released by the Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Jabhat an-Nusra. 

The video showed Majid wearing a white robe with a black headband, inscribed with the motto of Jabhat an-Nusra. 

He admits he cannot even speak Arabic but seems calm prior to carrying out the suicide mission. It goes on to show Majid climbing into a heavily armoured lorry, packed with explosives. 

The father-of-three is later filmed driving the lorry into the gates of Aleppo jail, detonating the vehicle on impact. 

According to the international Centre for the study of Radicalisation and Conflict Violence, Abu Hajar, who carried out today's attack, is the 29th British fighter to die fighting in Syria and Iraq.


Teachers “scared to teach about Jesus” for fear of offending Muslims

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1-the-nativity-scene-gino-rigucciThis article speaks only of the fear of offending “those of other faiths,” but when Bolton starts talking about how Christianity must be taught so as to aid the integration of new immigrants, it is clear that he is talking about Muslims, as no one is worried about the low rate of “integration” of any other group.
So what we have here are British teachers readily discarding their own culture and heritage for a watery and content-free multiculturalism that will, in the end, only pave the way for the takeover of Britain by those who still have confidence in their own beliefs, traditions and culture. Those who are proud to be British and interested in exploring what that means are derided as “racists.” Britain, in short, is a spent force, and is doomed to a future of blood and chaos.
“Teachers ‘scared to teach about Jesus’: Fear of offending other faiths prevents children1 [sic] learning true meaning of Christmas, BBC presenter claims,” by Sarah Harris, Daily Mail, November 29, 2014:
Fear of ‘offending’ different faiths means pupils are not being taught the true meaning of Christmas in schools, according to a BBC presenter.
Roger Bolton, of Radio 4’s Feedback programme, said that some secular teachers are also ‘unsympathetic to religious education’.
As a result, many pupils are not learning the crucial fact that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus.
A lack of understanding of Christianity is also preventing youngsters from gaining a proper understanding of religious imagery in literature and drama as well as European art.
This ‘ignorance’ in schools is being compounded by broadcasters’ reluctance to tackle ‘faith issues’ in children’s programmes.
Mr Bolton, who previously presented Sunday, Radio 4’s main programme for religious news and current affairs, condemned the trend in a ‘viewpoint’ piece written for this weeks Radio Times.
He said the Band Aid single, Do They Know It’s Christmas? would be better renamed for school children as ‘Do They Know What Christmas Is?’
He said: ‘Older readers might think this is a redundant question, but I’m afraid it’s not.
‘In some schools in this country, little is taught about the true meaning of Christmas, possibly because secular staff are unsympathetic to religious education or because of the fear of offending those of other faiths.
‘And broadcasters aren’t doing much to remedy this ignorance. It is difficult to find any children’s programmes that regularly deal with faith issues.’
Mr Bolton said there were ‘exceptions’ such as On Angel’s Wings, a BBC1 animation this Christmas, which is based on War Horse author, Michael Morpurgo’ s picture book.
It tells the Christmas story from the point of view of a young shepherd boy.
‘But there is little else in prospect, and the consequences of this lack of coverage are becoming evident,’ he said.
The presenter pointed to a Bible Society survey published earlier this year that claimed a quarter of children had ‘never read, seen or heard of Noah’s Ark’.
A similar proportion was ignorant of the Nativity; 43 per cent had never heard of the Crucifixion, and 53 per cent had ‘never read, seen or heard’ of Joseph and his coat of many colours.
Mr Bolton wrote: ‘Does this matter? I think it does, for both cultural and communal reasons.
‘The United Kingdom cannot be understood without appreciating the role Christian culture has played in its development, from the introduction of the parish system to the replacement of a monarch (James II) because he was a Roman Catholic.
‘In the time of Henry VIII what one believed about the doctrine of ‘transubstantiation’ was literally a matter of life and death.
‘Our 17th-century Civil War was fought in large part over the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings.
‘Without a knowledge of Christianity, what will our schoolchildren make of much of our finest literature and drama, filled as it is with Christian imagery? Or much of the finest European art?’
He added: ‘It is also vital that children of other faiths learn about Christmas. How can they begin to integrate into our country if they know little of the faith still at its heart?
‘Of course, the reverse applies, too. How can they feel welcome in this country if we make no real effort to understand what is often the most important thing to them and their families – their faiths?’…
And that means that what is most likely to come out of this is more state school teaching about…Islam

Muslima charged with encouraging terrorism on Twitter

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It is unfortunate that the British authorities are so unreflective that they never seem to consider the question of why what they consider to be an un-Islamic misunderstanding of Islam is so widespread. Nor do they ask themselves why mosque authorities are doing nothing to combat this misunderstanding.
“Woman charged with encouraging terrorism on Twitter,” by Keith Perry, the Telegraph, November 27, 2014:
A woman has been charged by police with encouraging terrorism on Twitter.
Alaa Abdullah Esayed, 22, of Kennington in south London, will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on December 10, the Metropolitan Police said.
She has been charged with two offences under the Terrorism Act – encouraging terrorism, and the dissemination of terrorist publications.
Esayed was originally arrested in June.
Police said one of the charges related to posts on Esayed’s Twitter account, together with photographs and video links.
The charge states: “She intended, or was reckless as to whether, members of the public would be directly or indirectly encouraged or otherwise induced by the statement to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism or convention offences”.
She is also accused of providing a service that enabled others “to obtain, read, listen to or look at a terrorist publication, by providing links to speeches and other propaganda, and at the time of doing so intended an effect of her conduct to be a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.
The woman was released on bail.

12 YEAR OLD GIRL SEXUALLY ASSAULTED GOING TO SCHOOL IN ABERDEEN

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Police are hunting a man who indecently assaulted a 12-year-old girl in Aberdeen.
The child was attacked in the Princes Street area of the city, near Park Place, at around 8.45am on Tuesday.
Police are understood to be following a positive line of inquiry over the assault.
The man was described as of “Indian appearance”, with short black hair and brown eyes. He is thought to be between 30 and 40 years old.
He was wearing navy blue jeans, a red hooded top and a black rain jacket at the time of the attack.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “The young girl, although uninjured, was left extremely distressed by the incident and we ask that anyone with information come forward.
“Police are liaising with nearby schools to ensure parents are aware and have extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community.
“Anyone with information relating to this incident should contact Police Scotland on 101or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.”

British Comedian John Cleese says: “You can’t make jokes about muslims because they will kill you”

FGM clinic sees its youngest patient yet — a 3-year-old girl

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Doctors at Britain’s first specialist clinic for child victims of female genital mutilation have revealed its youngest patient was three years old.

Experts said that since launching the London clinic, which gives medical treatment and psychological help to child survivors, they had “given an opinion” on a three-year-old girl and that their oldest patient was 17.

They said they had dealt with “a variety of complaints and referrals” since the clinic opened at University College Hospital three months ago.

Figures published yesterday by the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that last month there were 802 active FGM cases in the London region and 217 newly identified ones, a slight fall from the previous month.

During a visit to the hospital, public health minister Jane Ellison praised the Evening Standard for highlighting the barbaric practice. Dr Deborah Hodes, a consultant paediatrician at UCH, launched the clinic with Professor Sarah Creighton, a consultant gynaecologist, to help meet the needs of the growing number of patients.

Dr Hodes said: “In our joint clinic, we’ve had to give an opinion on a three-year-old and we’ve seen a 17-year-old and there are other ages in between.”
She said that, “for the most part”, the under-18s she had seen had undergone type four FGM — which includes burning the clitoris, cutting or scarring the vaginal opening.

Staff including play specialists and psychotherapists are on hand at the monthly clinic to help children overcome procedures and traumas and a soft doll is used to explain to girls what the examinations will involve.

They are also able to take photographs of injuries to use as evidence.

Professor Creighton said children need to be treated in the “right setting”.She said: “They need a more comprehensive approach. Children shouldn’t be seen in adult clinics, they need to be seen in children’s clinics where they have play specialists and come to the paediatric ward.”

Ms Ellison said: “We all have that sense of astonishing momentum, with great support from the Evening Standard and other people as well. Now we want to keep that momentum up.”

On the run rapist arrested in Italy

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ARRESTED: Wakar Akhtar, 21, has been arrested in Italy
ARRESTED: Wakar Akhtar, 21, has been arrested in Italy

A BRADFORD rapist, who went on the run halfway through his trial, has been arrested in Italy.
Wakar Akhtar, 21, drove from Bradford to Dover after giving evidence at his Bradford Crown Court trial, and caught a ferry to Calais.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Snow, of West Yorkshire Police, revealed that Akhtar had been arrested in Brescia, northern Italy, following liaison with Interpol and foreign authorities, and would be appearing at an extradition court in Rome later today.
Akhtar, of Hudson Avenue, Canterbury, Bradford, was convicted in his absence, with three co-accused, of conspiracy to rape. They were each jailed for 17 years for the "despicable and inhuman" plot to abduct a schoolteacher and rape her in darkness in Horton Park, Bradford.
The vulnerable young woman, who lost consciousness after drinking with friends in Leeds and taken to Bradford in a minicab, came round to find a stranger having sex with her on a park bench.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Akhtar after he absconded.
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