A teenager has been jailed for more than nine years after being found guilty of terror offences.
Mohammed Khalil Nadir, from Middlesbrough, sourced terrorist material and shared a video of himself “triggering” an imitation suicide vest.
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The teenager was sentenced today at Leeds Crown Court after being found guilty of possessing articles for a terrorist purpose and disseminating terrorist publications during a trial in June.
Nadir had researched the mock explosive vest worn during the Heaton Park Synagogue attack, the jury heard, before placing an order for a similar item hours later.
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After receiving the imitation vest, Nadir online shopped for 500 steel ball bearings, putting them in his online basket.
The 19-year-old recorded himself wearing the vest, which included a fake wire and trigger.
He edited the video to include the sound of an explosion before sharing it on Telegram.
Nadir was arrested in October last year and upon searching his property, police officers found the weighted vest in his wardrobe.
They found handwritten notes promoting martyrdom and a plethora of terrorist material on his phone.
This included Isis propaganda videos and messages calling for the killing of “disbelievers”.
The court also heard how Nadir has an unhealthy interest in weapons and was committed to his worldview.
He sought out like-minded people online, rejecting anyone who challenged his views.
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Online chats and voice notes revealed his increasingly extreme rhetoric and desire to use violence to stir up fear.
The combination of these radicalised views and behaviours led to Counter Terrorism Policing North East taking action against the teenager.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “The evidence uncovered during this investigation clearly demonstrates Nadir’s deep-seated beliefs, which grew significantly over a two-year period.
“His possession of the weighted vest and pending purchase of ball bearings make them all the more concerning.
“Nadir wasn’t simply in possession of high volumes of material which encouraged acts of terrorism. He deliberately shared terrorism guides and propaganda online and regularly used chat rooms to promote violence and justify martyrdom to others.
“There is no telling what harm this information could do in the hands of the wrong person.
“The public can help us to combat extremist content online. If you come across suspicious or concerning material, please report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT.”
After serving prison time, Nadir will be subject to an extended licence of three years, a Serious Crime Prevention Order for five years and a Terrorism Notification Order for 30 years.
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