Crime Solicitors

The Old Bailey has jailed a man who attempted to travel to Syria and join Daesh fighters.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Shamim Ahmed from London - a Bangladeshi national born in Bangladesh - travelled to Istanbul from London in early January 2016 and then took an onward flight to the town of Gaziantep.

The 24-year-old was subsequently stopped at the Oncupinar border crossing and returned to the UK, where he was arrested and charged with preparing for acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing in May 2017.

The court heard he had flown out to Istanbul from Gatwick Airport on 11 January 2016 - and on 13 January, he flew from Istanbul to the town of Gaziantep. On 14 January, he was detained at the Oncupinar Border Crossing and was returned to London two days later.

On 28 September 2016, Ahmed was charged with one count of committing acts in preparation for terrorism - he pleaded guilty on 10 May 2017.

Preparing for acts of terrorism is an offence under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Working with the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) showed that Ahmed had extremist material on his mobile phone - and had being using social media to research ways to enter Syria and join Daesh, also known as Islamic State (IS).

His travel arrangements were also deemed suspicious and were used by the prosecution to show that his trip to Turkey was not just for "a normal visit".

At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 14 June 2017, Ahmed was sentenced to seven years in jail - six to be served in custody and one year on licence.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

After sentencing, Head of Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, Sue Hemming, said:

"People thinking of travelling to Syria to engage in violence can expect to be returned to the UK to face prosecution and a potential prison sentence, with all that means for them and their loved ones.

"Shamim Ahmed had little choice but to plead guilty when faced with the weight of evidence presented by the prosecution.

"Thanks to our work with the police and Turkish authorities, Ahmed's plan to join IS has been thwarted - and he will no longer pose a threat to the public in the UK or abroad."

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving terrorism allegations, including preparing or carrying out acts of terrorism, encouraging others to prepare for or carry out acts of terrorism, carrying out acts of terrorism, belonging to a proscribed organisation, fundraising for terrorism, or conspiracy to commit terrorism.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales - and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on terrorism charges, call Duncan Lewis terrorism solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.