A 19-YEAR-OLD WHO was caught at Stansted Airport with a guide to Islamic State (IS) warfare has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

The Old Bailey heard how officers from Essex Police, assisting a Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism operation, took Finnish national Cubeyda Hassan Jama from Thornton Heath off a flight to Bucharest on 4 February last.

They found a map of Turkey and its borders, protective clothing, torches, a solar-powered charger and a first aid kit when they searched him.

They also recovered a USB stick, later found to contain an instructional e-book detailing how to travel to IS territory in Syria, and listing various items needed for the journey.

The USB stick also contained copies of an IS propaganda magazine featuring articles that called for readers to travel to join IS.

A file entitled ‘self-sacrifice’ saved on the USB stick set out arguments attempting to legitimise suicide bombings.

Oath of allegiance 

A subsequent search of Jama’s home by police officers uncovered more evidence including a handwritten oath of allegiance to IS.

Jama pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts at the Old Bailey on 24 June.

Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Jama had a step-by-step guide to fighting for Daesh (IS) and many items which could be used by aspiring terrorists, as listed in the guide.

He had trawled through reams of terrorist material and there is no doubt in my mind what his intentions were if he had made it to Syria. By working so effectively with Essex Police, we ensured he did not make that journey.

“Today’s sentence should serve as a timely reminder to anyone thinking of travelling for the purposes of terrorism,” Haydon said.

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