Hospital terror suspect admits possessing bomb but denies planning an atrocity

20 October 2023 , 20:20

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Court sketch of Mohammed Farooq (Image: PA)

An NHS worker accused of planning terror attacks on a hospital and RAF base has admitted possessing a bomb but denies a terrorism charge.

Mohammed Farooq, 27, admitted to the court he had the device with the “intent by means thereof to endanger life or cause serious injury to property”. The bomb was described as an improvised explosive device manufactured from a pressure cooker. The court heard it contained 13.7kg of explosive mixture, and pyrotechnic fuses.

At a hearing on Monday, judge Nicholas Hilliard told a potential jury the trial involved an alleged plan to target RAF Menwith Hill, Harrogate, West Yorks, and St James’s Hospital in Leeds, where Farooq was a clinical support worker. At that hearing he admitted four charges including possessing an imitation firearm, possessing an explosive substance in suspicious circumstances and possessing a document likely to be useful in an act of terrorism.

Bomb squad officer at St James’s site (Ben Lack-YappApp)

Farooq is now expected to stand trial after denying one remaining charge – that he intended to commit acts of terrorism. That charge alleges that between July 2021 and January 2023, he acquired a document called Safety and Security Guidelines for Lone Wolf Mujahideen and Small Cells.

He also denies acquiring maps and plans of potential targets, and that on January 19 and 20, he travelled to locations in order to carry out an attack. Farooq, from Leeds, West Yorks, admitted four charges at that hearing. He was arrested at St James’s Hospital earlier this year. The case, which is being heard at Sheffield crown court, has been adjourned until Tuesday.

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