Mubashir Jamil: Gamer obsessed with 'martyrdom' found guilty of terror offences
Jurors find the former straight-A student, who planned to join Islamic State in Syria, guilty of terrorism offences.
Thursday 19 October 2017 19:57, UK
A warehouse worker is facing jail after he told an undercover police officer he was prepared to blow himself up at 鈥済ood targets鈥� in the UK.
Former straight-A student Mubashir Jamil, 22, from Luton, was found guilty of terrorism offences at the Old Bailey after planning to join Islamic State in Syria.
During the undercover sting operation, he told the officer he was ready to put on a suicide vest and "press the button on the same day".
He came into contact with the officer after he sent messages online to people he thought could help him get to Syria, the court heard.
Jamil also bought a punch bag and a pull-up bar to boost his fitness in preparation, but told the undercover officer he was cautious of drawing attention so he bought a football to play with "so it's less suspicious".
He was arrested by counter-terror police in April last year, days before he planned to fly to Turkey.
The defendant denied the charges and insisted he was hearing voices and wanted to go to Syria to be exorcised of "jinns" - spirits - that were plaguing him.
On Thursday he was convicted of being engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to the intention to commit acts of terrorism.
Jurors heard how the avid computer gamer, who suffered from periods of mental illness, became obsessed with "martyrdom" after searching the internet for IS propaganda.
He had told the undercover officer: "If you or some brother you know can put an explosive belt on me and tell me how to press, as soon as possible for security reasons, I can do something in the UK even tomorrow after I find a good target."
Jamil also spoke of wanting to see attacks similar to ones carried out in continental Europe. He said: "I want them to feel another attack while they're still in mourning for Belgium."
Detective Superintendent Glen Channer, of the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, said: "We simply will not tolerate those who spread fear and hate in our communities and will continue to target, arrest and disrupt anyone involved in such criminality."
Jamil is due to be sentenced on 23 November.