Drive-by shooting plotters convicted

London-based university students Tarik Hassane, 22, and Suhaib Majeed, 21, have been convicted of conspiracy to murder and preparation of acts of terrorism.

The Old Bailey trial heard that plot leader Hassane, inspired by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), had been determined to carry out a terrorist attack in the UK. He and childhood friend Majeed researched and planned their attack using encrypted social media and messaging tools. Majeed also downloaded encryption software to talk to extremists overseas.

The pair had planned to carry out drive-by shootings of police, soldiers and members of the public. Devices seized during their arrests revealed that Hassane had researched the Shepherds Bush police station and the Parachute Regiment Territorial Army Centre in White City using Google Maps. Also discovered on the devices was extremist material including beheading videos and a fatwa encouraging the murder of soldiers, police and security and intelligence agents.

Hassane and Majeed had obtained a gun, silencer and ammunition from criminal contacts, and had plans to acquire a moped for the attacks when police moved in.

Nyall Hamlett and Nathan Cuffy, who were arrested at the same time as Majeed, were cleared of conspiracy to murder and preparing terrorist acts but admitted to firearms offences for supplying a gun.

Hussane and Majeed will be sentenced at a later date.