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Man Found Guilty of Three Terrorism Offences
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
A 24 year old Huddersfield man has today been found guilty of 3 terrorism offences following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
He will be sentenced on Wednesday December 20, 2017.
Mohammed Abbas Idris Awan, 24 years, of Dun Street, Sheffield was arrested in June 2017 by North East counter terrorism officers following an intelligence led investigation. House searches took place in Huddersfield and Sheffield.
Awan was charged on June 14, 2017 with one offence of Engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and two offences contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (possessing a record likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism).
Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, Head of Investigations at Counter Terrorism Policing North East said, “Following his arrest and the subsequent house searches a number of exhibits were seized, including 11 mobile phones, 16 USB memory sticks and 7 computers. Specialist officers and staff examined a vast quantity of data and found a significant amount of terrorism related material.
“Awan was influenced by the material he had researched online which included numerous Daesh propaganda sites. He purchased ballbearings online and information about the use of these in attacks was contained in the material he had downloaded.
“Whilst we do not know the full details of Awan’s intentions, officers intervened swiftly before Awan could put any plans into practice. Public safety is, and always will be, our priority when making operational decisions.
“We urge the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police by calling the police, in confidence, on 0800 789321 or in an emergency by dialling 999. Suspicious activity is anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn’t seem to fit in with day-to-day life.
All information passed to the police through the anti-Terrorist Hotline is treated in the strictest of confidence. It is thoroughly analysed and researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.” #ActionCountersTerrorism