A convicted terrorist has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for breaching his Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (Tpim) notice by associating with two Syrian asylum seekers suspected of supporting Islamic State. The man, identified only as TPD for legal reasons, admitted four breaches of the notice designed to prevent terrorism.
Judge Rebecca Trowler imposed the sentence on Thursday, adding a further year on extended licence after finding his behaviour "raised a serious risk of criminal behaviour". The judge acknowledged TPD's depressed state and that the breaches occurred whilst his father was dying of cancer, but said contraventions of the Tpim were "deliberate" and "persistent".
Original terror conviction
TPD was originally sentenced to six years for seven terror offences in 2019. He was convicted of preparation of terrorist acts having bought a large hunting knife to commit a robbery to finance terrorism by travelling abroad.
The court heard he had shared Islamic State execution videos online and assisted another person to travel to fight for the terrorist organisation. While still in custody in 2021, he committed an assault and received a further 20 weeks in jail to run consecutively.
Breach of prevention measures
TPD was handed a Tpim notice upon his release in December 2023 and warned of the consequences of failing to abide by its conditions. The breaches related to his association with two men, referred to as O and H, in January and February this year.
The incidents included TPD going with O to Caffe Nero, where he "stood in the queue conversing with him, before ordering him a drink", according to prosecutor Julia Faure Walker. On several occasions, he walked with O or H to the hotel where they were staying, and on the final occasion accompanied both men to the hotel bar area for about 19 minutes.
Syrian nationals arrested
In late February, the Syrian nationals who are believed to have arrived in the UK on a small boat last year were arrested on suspicion of supporting the proscribed organisation Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. It is alleged they had videos and images on their phones, although the investigation is ongoing and neither had been charged.
TPD had emailed his Home Office contact officer on 15th February requesting that O and H be added to his approved list of associates. He wrote: "The reason for this request is that they attend my local mosque, and they gravitate towards me perhaps because our similar age."
However, under the Tpim terms, TPD should have notified the Home Office in advance of meeting the young men. Following his arrest on 27th February, TPD said he was lonely and his mental health was suffering after his father was diagnosed with cancer, claiming he had only ever made polite conversation with O and H about general topics.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
