University graduate Irfan Naseer, 31, was joined by Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali, both 27, in the plot to recruit up to eight suicide bombers. The trio were arrested with eight other individuals last year after cops smashed their cell. They had hoped the plot would cause even more carnage than 7/7, which, recordings revealed, they thought had “gone a bit wrong”, because the bombers didn’t maximise the damage by adding nails to their devices.
The ringleaders, Naseer and Khalid, had twice travelled to Pakistan for training (on one occasion spending two months in an al-Qaida facility). By setting up a bogus charity, they were able to raise £14,500 to fund their activities. Naseer, known as Chubbs by the others due to his weight – was apparently putting his pharmaceuticals degree to good use, and was charged with identifying which everyday items could be used to make a bomb. When arrested, they were found in possession of just one sports cold pack kit, which which Naseer mistakenly thought contained deadly ammonium nitrate.
Naseer was found guilty of five counts of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist attacks, Khalid of four and Ali of three counts – all between Christmas Day 2010 and 19 September 2011.
