A Muslim convert has admitted plotting to bomb St Paul’s Cathedral in
the name of the Islamic State terror group. Safiyya Amira Shaikh, 36,
was snared by undercover officers last year as she planned to plant two
explosive devices in central London, one at the historic cathedral and
one at a nearby hotel.
At a brief hearing at the Old Bailey, Shaikh, from Hayes, Middlesex,
pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts and dissemination of
terrorist publications on Telegram.
The court heard how she had carried out research before settling on her
murderous plan between between August and October last year.
She made contact with someone she believed could help make explosives
online and provided two bags, one for each bomb. Shaikh travelled to
central London and stayed at a hotel as part of her reconnaissance. She
scoped out St Paul’s security and looked for the ‘best place’ to plant a
second explosive device, the court heard.
She also prepared the words of a pledge of allegiance to IS, also known
as Isis or Daesh. Meanwhile, she shared terrorist propaganda via groups
using the Telegram messaging app.
The defendant, who wore black robe in the dock, spoke quietly as she
entered her guilty pleas before Mr Justice Sweeney on Friday.
She was remanded in custody and the judge ordered pre-sentence reports
ahead of sentencing on May 11, adding her lawyers should serve any
psychiatric report beforehand.
The facts were not opened in court, but according to a prosecution case
summary, Shaikh had stated her main aim was to kill as many people as
possible in a suicide attack on St Paul’s. She only confided her plan to
two people, the online explosives expert and his wife who she handed
her bags to, unaware that they were undercover officers.
The British defendant was born Michelle Ramsden to a non-Muslim family
and converted to Islam in 2007. She began to follow extremists online
and by 2015 had become radicalised, the prosecution alleged.
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Saturday, February 22, 2020
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Isis supporter admits plot to blow up St Paul's cathedral
Isis supporter admits plot to blow up St Paul's cathedral
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