A British national and homegrown Islamic State supporter has said she wanted to “blow St Paul’s Cathedral to the ground” in an Easter terror attack but got “cold feet” and is insistent she would never have gone through with it, a court has been told.
The Islamic convert Safiyya Amira Shaikh who is a 37-year-old mother from Hayes in west London said she did not want to disappoint the two others she thought she was conspiring with. The two others were undercover police officers. The Old Bailey has heard that Ms Shaikh carried out an investigatory mission to St Paul’s Cathedral in September 2019.
The court was also told that she had undertaken the early stages of being fitted for a suicide vest, and that she wished to carry out the attack before becoming a martyr. When, according to her barrister, she “started to get doubts” concerning police decided to arrest her. Ms Shaikh barrister Ben Newton has said: “This particular terrorist act would never have actually happened. Three people were involved in this plot, and the other two were undercover police officers. There was no bomb, and there never would be.
Safiyya Amira Shaikh pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts and dissemination of terrorist publications via Telegram. Shaikh, who wore a hijab in court was formerly known as Michelle Ramsden before converting to Islam in 2007. after being impressed by the kindness of a local Muslim family.
The prosecuting QC Alison Morgan QC told the court that Ms Shaikh became increasingly disillusioned by what she saw as the mosques’ moderate version of Islam and boasted of the extremist propaganda she posted online which was encouraging others to commit acts of violence in the name of the Islamic State.
The sentencing hearing, in this case, was adjourned until Thursday, and UNN’s Oliver Down will bring you the sentencing news as we get it.
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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