14 January 2023 , 21:25
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A suspected terrorist who allegedly "praised Guy Fawkes" for his attempt to blow up Parliament was found dead in prison.
Benjamin Hyland, 29, was discovered hanged in jail just two days after appearing in court, it has emerged.
He had been charged with a string of terror offences including trying to make a 3D-printed gun.
After appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Hyland was remanded in custody on December 9.
Two days later, he was found hanged.
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Charges against him were formally discontinued during a brief hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday.
Hyland, from Yeadon in Leeds, had been arrested on December 2 last year.
Police had received information he had bought sulphur powder, hexamine tablets, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid and potassium nitrate the month before.
A hearing was held at the Old Bailey (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)The offences against him included that he encouraged terrorism on Facebook and Instagram under the guise of the English Republican Army.
He was also accused of attempting to manufacture a submachine gun by 3D printing its parts.
Prosecutor Emma Haraway had told the court: "This is a defendant who has the knowledge to build weapons and firearms and to make explosive devices.
"The indications are that he was gathering information and material to advance his terrorist ideology of seeking to defeat the Government.
Hyland was found hanged days after appearing in court (Getty Images)"He sees it is an oppressive system of governing the country."
She continued: "He has a terrorist ideology.
"It appears at this stage of the investigation he is the leader of a terrorist group that is not defined by the Government and is known as the English Republican Army.
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"He has praised Guy Fawkes for his use of gunpowder."
Charges against him were discontinued after his death (BPM MEDIA)Hyland faced 11 terrorism charges including possession of a firearm, attempting to possess a firearm, possessing explosive substances for unlawful purposes and two counts of publishing a statement intending to encourage terrorism.
He was also charged with six counts of possessing a record containing information useful to terrorism.
His previous convictions include battery and being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog causing injury.