This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7282137.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Top extremist recruiter is jailed Top extremist recruiter is jailed
(20 minutes later)
A man convicted as a major recruiter for Islamist extremism in the UK has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years. A man convicted as a major recruiter for Islamist extremism has been jailed indefinitely for public protection.
Mohammed Hamid, 50, of east London, was found guilty of training men in secret camps in the Lake District and New Forest to prepare them to fight abroad. Mohammed Hamid, 50, of east London, was found guilty of training British Muslim men in secret camps and grooming them to consider fighting overseas.
Among those to have passed through Hamid's camps were the four failed suicide bombers of 21 July 2005.Among those to have passed through Hamid's camps were the four failed suicide bombers of 21 July 2005.
Hamid's accomplice Atilla Ahmet was jailed for six years and 11 months at the end of the landmark prosecution. Hamid was jailed for seven-and-a-half years - but told he would not be released until he had reformed.
HAMID'S CO-ACCUSED Clockwise from top-left: Atilla Ahmet: Soliciting to murder Kibley Da Costa: Attending terrorism training, providing training, holding terrorist articles. Kader Ahmed, 20: Attending two training camps. Mohammed Al-Figari, 44: Attending camps and holding terrorist articles. The Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence handed down by the judge was the first use of the powers in a terrorist case.
Not pictured: Hassan MutegombwaMohammed KyriacouYassin Mutegombwa class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7265704.stm">Convictions in full His accomplice, Atilla Ahmet, was jailed for six years and 11 months at the end of the landmark prosecution at Woolwich Crown Court.
Police say Hamid played a crucial role in grooming young men for terrorism and possible training overseas. HAMID'S CO-ACCUSED Clockwise from top-left: Atilla Ahmet: Soliciting to murder Kibley Da Costa: Attending terrorism training, providing training, holding terrorist articles. Kader Ahmed, 20: Attending two training camps. Mohammed Al-Figari, 44: Attending camps and holding terrorist articles. Not pictured: Hassan MutegombwaMohammed KyriacouYassin Mutegombwa class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7265704.stm">Convictions in full
The trial judge, Mr Justice Pitchers, told him: "Mohammed Hamid, you are, in my judgment, dangerous. Police say Hamid, who once described himself as "Osama bin London", played a crucial role in grooming young men for terrorism and possible training overseas.
"You used your charm and knowledge of the Koran to influence others to terrorism." The trial judge, Mr Justice Pitchers, told him: "Mohammed Hamid, you are, in my judgement, dangerous.
Hamid's training came in the form of camping trips around the UK and late night talks in the living room of his home. "You can be quite genuinely amusing and charming. You also have real knowledge of the Koran and Islamic teaching. However, that is only one side of you."
Prosecutors said he sought to groom impressionable young men, a process that had only intensified after the July 2005 suicide bombings. The judge said he rejected claims that Hamid was some kind of "clown".
"You used your charm and knowledge of the Koran to influence others to terrorism," he said. "I believe you have sent trainees to Afghanistan.
"You continue to be a danger, not directly from your own actions, but from your ability to persuade others by criminal actions to commit terrorism offences themselves."
'Changed man'
Hamid was found guilty of three counts of soliciting to murder and three counts of providing terrorism training.Hamid was found guilty of three counts of soliciting to murder and three counts of providing terrorism training.
MOHAMMED HAMID Born 1957, Tanzania, to Indian family Grew up Batley, Yorkshire Moved to London aged 12 Various manual jobsSent to borstal Jailed for robbery Two marriages, five children Reformed crack addict Found religion in 1990s The radicaliser and the bombers
Ahmet, the former right-hand-man of jailed preacher Abu Hamza, had pleaded guilty to three counts of soliciting to murder relating to hate speeches.Ahmet, the former right-hand-man of jailed preacher Abu Hamza, had pleaded guilty to three counts of soliciting to murder relating to hate speeches.
Seven other men have been convicted in connection with his camps in a series of linked trials that were under a partial reporting black-out.Seven other men have been convicted in connection with his camps in a series of linked trials that were under a partial reporting black-out.
In mitigation, Joel Bennathan QC, told the court that while Hamid had been found guilty, the jury had cleared him of some charges - and that any links between him and actual acts of terrorism were tenuous.
MOHAMMED HAMID Born 1957, Tanzania, to Indian family Grew up Batley, Yorkshire Moved to London aged 12 Various manual jobsSent to borstal Jailed for robbery Two marriages, five children Reformed crack addict Found religion in 1990s The radicaliser and the bombers
While Hamid knew the men behind the 21/7 London attacks, he had not been the "intellectual inspiration".
Henry Blaxland QC, for Ahmet, said his client had become a "changed man" during his time awaiting sentencing. Ahmet, who had shaved off his long Islamic beard, had written a long letter to the judge demonstrating what Mr Blaxland said was "genuine contrition".Henry Blaxland QC, for Ahmet, said his client had become a "changed man" during his time awaiting sentencing. Ahmet, who had shaved off his long Islamic beard, had written a long letter to the judge demonstrating what Mr Blaxland said was "genuine contrition".
Appearing as a character witness, Musa Ahmet said his brother had "got a buzz" from his notorious reputation among journalists for incendiary speeches - but in reality he had limited knowledge of Islam.
  • Trial coverage for the BBC News website: Dominic Casciani
  • Trial coverage for the BBC News website: Dominic Casciani