South Essex teen admits plotting Islamist terror attack

Mathew King, 19 was alleged to have carried out surveillance at Police stations, railway stations, a magistrate court and British Army Barracks.

King was arrested at his home on May 18 by officers from the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command and his mobile phone was examined.

Prosecutor Gillian Curl had said that no “specific act of terrorism” had been identified.

She added: “He was preparing for an act against either serving on-duty police officers or military personnel.”

After being cautioned, King responded: “I don’t believe in the UK law, the only law I believe in is the law of Allah.”

At a hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, King pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts.

Authorities had been tipped off about King through an anti-terrorist hotline and the Prevent counter-terrorism programme after he posted a video on a WhatsApp group on April 13 last year.

In it was an image of a male holding a knife with the words: “Those who said that there is no jihad and no battle. They are lying!

“Our jihad will continue until disappearance until the day of judgment! Now the battle has begun and it will continue until the day of judgment. So take out your sword, O youth, and destroy the kufr.”

At a hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, King pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts.

His lawyer Hossein Zahir KC said the defence had submitted a basis of plea to the court.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC adjourned sentencing until April 14 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared which will include the issue of the defendant’s dangerousness.

Addressing King, Judge Lucraft stressed it was in his “best interests” to help those preparing the report.

 King replied: “Understood.”

Prosecutors alleged the plot was related to extreme Islamist beliefs and that King.

The defendant has been in custody since being charged.

He was subsequently charged with preparing an act of terrorism between December 22 2021 and May 17 2022.