A 21-year-old terrorist has confessed that he tried to buy a gun in order to kill a former Muslim who had converted to Christianity at Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park.
Edward Little was allegedly planning to purchase a gun in order to murder Hatun Tash, 40, and her video crew at the public speaking venue as well as any police or soldiers who were there at the time.
He was travelling into London in a cab carrying thousands of pounds in cash when he was detained and taken into custody on September 23 of last year.
Little first refused to respond to questions during a police interview, but after seeing a YouTube clip of the preacher, he charged an officer across the table and threw his fists at him before being held.
He had earlier this year denied planning terrorist actions, but on Friday at the Old Bailey, he entered a new plea and admitted the accusation.
Little, a resident of Brighton’s Pelham Street, appeared at the Old Bailey today via video link while dressed in a grey tracksuit and confessed to planning terrorist attacks.
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Targets identified by Little, according to the prosecution, were military officials, police officers, and Christian preacher Hatun Tash.
Tom Godfrey, the defence attorney, asserted that Little only confessed to targeting the preacher.
Ms Tash was twice detained for violating the peace when she alerted the Met Police to harassment and threats by Islamic demonstrators. Since then, she has received £10,000 in damages.
Ms Tash frequently visited Hyde Park to engage in dialogue with protesters about Islam and Christianity.
She claimed that while she was in Speakers’ Corner last year, a black-clad, unidentified man stabbed her in the face.
Little had planned to purchase a gun for £5,000 after researching several weapons’ capabilities as part of his preparations.
On September 23 of last year, Little told the taxi driver he had no trouble paying the £300 fare to transport him to Lewisham in south London.
He asked to stop at a mosque to pray, but when told there wasn’t one nearby, he stated he would do it in the cab.
He had two mobile phones, a passport, and £5,000 in cash in his bag when he was caught.
A later discovery by police revealed his attack strategy and the location of the gun purchase in an encrypted communication.
Little was reportedly alleged to have chatted with someone using the internet identity “Abdullah” about religion, Iraq, and “kuffar.”
When Little saw a YouTube video of the preacher, Ms Tash, his attitude toward refusing to speak to the police altered.
Before being restrained, he sprang himself from his chair and swung his fists repeatedly at the officer across the table.
He later admitted to hitting the officer at the Newbury Police Station on September 28 and received a 40-week prison term.
On appeal, the sentence was lowered to eight months in jail.
Little was kept in custody and the sentencing was postponed until July 21 by Mr Justice Baker.
