Muslim convert accused of London terror plot: I'm no Isis cheerleader

IS influence: One of the defendants denied links to the Islamic State militant group led by Abu Bakr al-Baghadi, pictured
AFP/Getty Images
Sebastian Mann7 March 2016
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

A Muslim convert charged with plotting a spate of terror strikes across London has insisted he is no “cheerleader for IS”.

Four men from west London were allegedly planning to kill soldiers, police officers and civilians in drive-by shootings in the capital.

They are on trial for conspiracy to murder and preparation of terrorist acts. Some of them are also charged with firearms offences.

Nyall Hamlett, 25, was the alleged “middle man” between Nathan Cuffy, 26, and the other defendants Suhaib Majeed, 21, and Tarik Hassane, 22.

He has admitted passing on a gun and ammunition to Majeed.

Giving evidence in his Old Bailey trial, he said he had "no idea" what the others were planning to do with the gun.

When questioned about a stash of "grotesque" extremist photographs found on his phone, he claimed they were from people he followed on Twitter.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC quizzed the father of three about why he used an image of a fighter carrying an IS flag as his phone background.

"Instead of having cute pictures of your three children on your lock screen on your phone you have an image of an IS fighter, why?" he asked.

Hamlett replied: "I didn't mean no harm by it, I didn't think I would be arrested for terrorism and what not."

He added: "I understand it's stupid to do it but I didn't do it because I'm an IS cheerleader."

Hamlett insisted he did not know his childhood friend Cuffy was storing guns at his flat.

"He has held drugs for people, stolen iPhones. I didn't know he had guns at his house," he said.

Cuffy told the jury the stash of firearms at his house were being stored for someone else but refused to name the person they allegedly belonged to.

The trial continues.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in