Former Student Nurse Convicted of Terrorist PlotFormer Student Nurse Convicted of Terrorist Plot Mohammad Farooq, a British citizen and former nursing student, has been found guilty of planning a terrorist attack on a Royal Air Force base. The Public Prosecution Service (CPS) announced the conviction on Tuesday. On January 20, 2023, Farooq was arrested at St. James’s Hospital in Leeds with a gun and a pressure cooker bomb. He told a person in the hospital that he wanted to “kill everyone.” Farooq’s internet search history revealed that he had been researching the Royal Air Force base located near the hospital. Farooq pleaded guilty to several charges related to terrorism, but he denied that he had planned an attack. However, a jury at Sheffield Crown Court found him guilty of preparing for terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act 2006. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Greenwood, Head of Investigations at the North East Counter Terrorism Department, stated that Farooq was motivated by a “Daesh-inspired ideology” and “deep-seated grievances.” Farooq will be sentenced at a later date. The investigation is continuing to determine if he had any accomplices or networks that supported his activities. Britain’s MI5 security service categorizes terrorism as a “substantial” threat to the country.
A former student nurse previously convicted of bringing a pressure cooker bomb into a British hospital has also been found guilty of planning a terrorist attack on a Royal Air Force base, the Public Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Tuesday.
On January 20, 2023, Mohammad Farooq — a British citizen and former nursing student — was arrested for entering St. James’s Hospital in Leeds with a gun and an explosive device, and telling a person in the hospital that he wanted to “kill everyone.” Police discovered a pressure cooker bomb on Farooq, and a search of his vehicle revealed additional materials that could be used to make improvised explosive devices, including nails, tubs, an explosive mixture, and floor plans. The hospital where Farooq was arrested was located near a Royal Air Force base. Based on these factors, and a review of the defendant’s internet search history, prosecutors argued that he planned to attack the base next.
Farooq had previously pleaded guilty to several charges, including possessing information useful to a terrorist and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence. But he denied that his actions constituted preparation for terrorist acts. However, a jury at Sheffield Crown Court later found him guilty of preparing for terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act 2006.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Greenwood, Head of Investigations at the North East Counter Terrorism Department, praised the outcome of the case, saying:
This trial clearly showed Farooq’s intention to act on his beliefs and carry out an attack. He had researched and prepared for his actions, built an improvised explosive device and prioritised his targets. “He was motivated primarily by a Daesh-inspired ideology, but also by his own deep-seated grievances. It was these extreme, personal grievances that ultimately brought him to St James’s in January last year.
Farooq will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on a date yet to be determined, but the investigation continues as authorities attempt to identify any accomplices or networks that may have supported his activities.
Britain’s MI5 security service currently considers terrorism to be a “substantial” threat to the country.
