IS supporter threatened to behead officer

JAILED . . . Ahmed

A SO-CALLED Islamic State supporter from Oldham who threatened to behead a police officer when his stash of “grotesque” execution videos was uncovered has been jailed for two and a half years.

Atiq Ahmed (32), of Copster Hill Road, Hathershaw, pleaded guilty to two charges of dissemination of a terrorist publication by posting links to disturbing IS propaganda videos, one of which was viewed on YouTube more than 37,000 times.

Ahead of sentencing on Friday, the Old Bailey heard how his family had raised concerns in March, fearing he was a danger to society and citing his violent behaviour, mental health problems and solvent abuse. They told police he would “talk constantly” about Isis and watch their videos.

When police were called to a domestic incident at his home, Ahmed told them: “Now you are here I am going to raise the black banner, the IS flag will fly. I will not let you live.”

As he was being handcuffed, he threatened one officer, saying: “I will kill you like an Israeli. I will behead one of the police.”

Ahmed was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, but when considered fit for interview he admitted to police that a mobile phone, laptop and memory card with Isis videos were his.

Ahmed, a Sunni Muslim, said that he had downloaded them for “research, study and understanding what is going on,” the court heard. While he supported IS, he said he didn’t plan to join them and wanted to live peacefully in the UK.

Prosecutor Steven Gray told the court he had posted links to two graphic videos on his Google+ account and discussed sharing violent jihadist videos with an Arabic man on Google Hangouts.

The first video, which had been viewed 260 times, showed a beheading, IS militants shooting a soldier and the execution of hostages set to chanting in praise of Jihad. The second, which also showed IS militants, was viewed 37,467 times on YouTube.

Ahmed’s collection included one featuring “Jihadi John” posing with the severed head of an American citizen. Mr Gray said Ahmed had been convicted 18 times before, for a total of 30 offences, including assaulting a policeman.

In mitigation, Andrew Selby said the guilty pleas were made on the basis he was “reckless” when he posted the links; there was no doubt the material was “grotesque, brutal, graphic and vivid”, but it reflected real events around the world.

But after watching the videos, judge Michael Topolski QC said: “Many of them are deeply disturbing, truly horrifying and bear no relation whatsoever to the true practices and principles of the ancient venerable religion.

“None of it can sensibly be said to serve any legitimate or useful purpose.”