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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Man jailed over terror cell plans | Man jailed over terror cell plans |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A man who stored up what police called a "vast library of terrorist material" has been jailed for nine years. | A man who stored up what police called a "vast library of terrorist material" has been jailed for nine years. |
| Omar Altimimi, of Bolton, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of six charges of possession of material for a purpose connected with terrorism. | |
| Recorder of Manchester, Judge Maddison, said Altimimi, 37, was "a sleeper for some sort of terrorist organisation". | |
| Passing sentence, he added: "It is not known when, if and how you might have been called upon to play your part." | |
| Altimimi hoarded manuals on how to set up a terror cell and carry out bombings, and had identified night clubs and airports among "suitable targets". | |
| He had denied all knowledge of the material found on his computer and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. | He had denied all knowledge of the material found on his computer and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. |
| Judge Maddison added: "The offences, contrary to the Terrorism Act, are, in my view, of the most serious of their kind likely to come before the court. | |
| "A person convicted of terrorist offences must expect a substantial sentence." | "A person convicted of terrorist offences must expect a substantial sentence." |
| He was also convicted of two charges under the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act. | He was also convicted of two charges under the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act. |
| Yusuf Abdullah, 30, was also sentenced on Friday and was given a three-year jail term for proceeds of crime offences. | |
| Police arrested Abdullah, also of Bolton, at the same time as Altimimi. He earlier pleaded guilty to acquiring $54,610 (£27,213) of criminal property. | |
| 'Range of identities' | |
| During his four-week trial, the jury heard how Altimimi had arrived in the UK from the Netherlands in 2004. | |
| Prosecutors said Altimimi created three identities and was collecting terror information on his computer. | Prosecutors said Altimimi created three identities and was collecting terror information on his computer. |
| He developed a range of identities, which would allow him to expand his terrorist activities. He is a congenital liar and has lied throughout this investigation Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter | He developed a range of identities, which would allow him to expand his terrorist activities. He is a congenital liar and has lied throughout this investigation Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter |
| The jury convicted him of possessing files relating to an organisational chart for a terror cell, instructions on bomb detonators, instructions on making explosives, and details about chemical explosives and "bombing strategies". | The jury convicted him of possessing files relating to an organisational chart for a terror cell, instructions on bomb detonators, instructions on making explosives, and details about chemical explosives and "bombing strategies". |
| The father-of-three was arrested last year on suspicion of money laundering when he tried to withdraw £3,000 believed to have been stolen from the Yemen Tourist Promotion Board. | The father-of-three was arrested last year on suspicion of money laundering when he tried to withdraw £3,000 believed to have been stolen from the Yemen Tourist Promotion Board. |
| The prosecution said the computer carrying terror-related files was recovered from Altimimi's home when it was raided seven weeks after his arrest. | The prosecution said the computer carrying terror-related files was recovered from Altimimi's home when it was raided seven weeks after his arrest. |
| Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter, head of the Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit, said Altimimi "developed a range of identities, which would allow him to expand his terrorist activities". | Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter, head of the Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit, said Altimimi "developed a range of identities, which would allow him to expand his terrorist activities". |
| Altimimi used his wife and children to appear as an ordinary family man and blend into the community, he said. | Altimimi used his wife and children to appear as an ordinary family man and blend into the community, he said. |
| "But behind closed doors he was downloading shocking videos of executions, bomb-making recipes and information on how to establish a terrorist cell," Det Ch Spt Porter added. | "But behind closed doors he was downloading shocking videos of executions, bomb-making recipes and information on how to establish a terrorist cell," Det Ch Spt Porter added. |
| He added: "We will never know exactly what Altimimi was preparing to do but it was clear he had support and links with terrorists across the world." | He added: "We will never know exactly what Altimimi was preparing to do but it was clear he had support and links with terrorists across the world." |
| Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that when Altimimi's two computers were seized other material found included a job description for a role with GMP police and application forms for Bolton Council and for a teacher training position. | Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that when Altimimi's two computers were seized other material found included a job description for a role with GMP police and application forms for Bolton Council and for a teacher training position. |