Man Plotted 'Lone Wolf' Attack On Army Or Police, Court Hears

Watch: Hisham Muhammad and Faisal Abu Ahmad were arrested at their home

A man plotted a "lone wolf" attack on the British Army or police using a specially-adapted drone, knives, axes and Japanese "Ninja eggs", a court has heard.

Hisham Muhammad, 25, amassed an array of weapons at his three-bedroom rented terrace in Whitefield, Bury, including a tomahawk, a machete and bear-claws, the Old Bailey was told.

It was also claimed he had researched how small drones might be adapted to drop a device designed to harm others.

Mr Muhammad had allegedly researched police and Army bases, including expressing "false interest" in joining the military and visiting Castle Armoury Barracks in Bury, Greater Manchester.

He is charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.

The court also heard Mr Muhammad had cast doubt that the Manchester Arena bombing and Westminster Bridge attack had happened and questioned whether video of Fusilier Lee Rigby's killing was real.

At the time of his arrest in June 2018, the 25-year-old was living with his cousin, Faisal Abu Ahmad, 24.

He was caught after his landlord spotted "suspicious" items at the defendant's home including knives, a tub of wires and a soldering iron, the court heard.

In a search, police uncovered the stash of weapons as well as lollipop sticks attached to an electrical component with black tape and various wires, jurors heard.

Some of the components allegedly matched sketches and detailed notes for adapting a drone.

Mr Ahmad, 24, is charged with failure to disclose information to the authorities which he knew or believed might prevent the commission of an act of terrorism by another person.

It is alleged he knew his cousin had formed radical views and was planning a terrorist act of violence but failed to inform the police.

Anne Whyte QC, for the prosecution, said: "On 23 May last year, Mr Muhammad’s research included expressing false interest in joining the British Army and in visiting Castle Armoury Barracks in Bury."

She said that, by the time of his arrest, he was planning some sort of physical attack using knives and other weapons, possibly involving the Armed Forces or the police.

She added: "We will never know if he had got as far as identifying a particular target or type of individual."

Both Mr Muhammad and Mr Ahmad plead not guilty to the charges against them.

The case continues.