Plot accused 'on way to mosque'

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A man arrested after alleged attempts to bomb London's transport network told police he had being walking to a mosque at the time, a jury has been told.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that when interviewed Manfo Asiedu, 33, told officers he had not been involved.

Prosecutors claim he dumped a home-made device in a west London park after losing his nerve on 21 July 2005.

Mr Asiedu, Muktar Ibrahim, Hussein Osman, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Adel Yahya deny conspiracy to murder.

They also deny conspiracy to cause explosions.

The prosecution allege Mr Yahya was involved in the preparation.

The other men are said to have set out on 21 July to carry out the attacks although Mr Asiedu is alleged to have decided not to go through with it.

Basketball game

The court heard the bombs were detonated on three Tube trains and a bus in central and west London between 1230 and 1300 but failed to explode.

In his police interview, Mr Asiedu said he spent the day in north London.

He said he set out on foot from the New Southgate area for Finchley Mosque around noon and arrived in time to take part in prayers at 1330.

Mr Asiedu said he left the mosque at about 1400 and after some lunch went to a nearby park and played basketball with a "tall skinny white guy" until prayers at 1900.

While in the park he smoked a "joint" and got "high", he added.

Mr Asiedu went to police voluntarily on 26 July and was arrested.

But he told officers: "My intention was not to come and be arrested. I came to tell you what I know.

"The truth is what I'm telling you."

The trial was adjourned until Thursday.