Briton Jailed After Going To Syria To Join IS
Mohammed Uddin, 29, left Britain in November 2014 and was caught as he tried to return from Syria the following month.
14:52, Wednesday 10 February 2016
Mohammed Uddin
Uddin was caught after crossing the border into Turkey
A British man who travelled to Syria to join Islamic State has been jailed for seven years.
Mohammed Uddin, 29, of Barking, Essex, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to a charge of preparing acts of terrorism.
The court heard how Uddin travelled to Syria on 4 November 2014, intending to join IS - also known as Daesh - and fighting for them.
On 12 December of the same year, he crossed the border back into Turkey where he was held by the authorities because he did not have any travel documents.
He was stopped by counter terrorism officers at Gatwick Airport when he returned to Britain on 22 December who believed he was involved in terrorist-related activity and who found extremist material in his possession.
Assistant Chief Constable Laura Nicholson, the head of counter-terrorism across the South East, said: "Uddin's purpose of travel was to join Daesh and engage in terrorist activity ...
"Anyone intending to travel to Syria or Iraq to fight or to commit terrorist acts against the UK or our interests should be in no doubt that the police will take the strongest possible action against them.
"Returning foreign fighters pose a threat to the UK and we also have a responsibility to protect UK interests around the world.
"Preventing travel to Syria is a key part of keeping the British public safe whether they are at home and overseas.
"Early intervention is key for the police and other agencies.
"Between us we can offer support to help safeguard those who are vulnerable to radicalisation.
"So if anyone is concerned that a friend or family member is thinking of travelling to Syria it is crucial they tell us as soon as possible.
"The sooner we can intervene, the better chance we have of preventing people from becoming embroiled in the conflict and facing potential prosecution."
Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "It was very clear from the conversations recovered from electrical devices that Uddin had meticulously planned his trip so that he would be able to get to Syria undetected.
"It is vital that we bring the full force of the law against those who leave the UK to support terrorism.
"We will continue to work to build strong cases against these individuals to ensure that terrorists are brought to justice."
