Muslim accused of London terror plot hoped to join IS in the Philippines

Muslim

A Muslim convert accused of plotting a ‘large-scale’ vehicle attack in London also hoped to join so-called Islamic State in the Philippines.

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Lewis Ludlow, aged 26, from Rochester in Kent was remanded in custody following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, May 1).

The court was told he planned to target crowded and popular parts of the British capital, such as Madame Tussaud’s and Oxford Street.

It was also alleged that he had sent cash to a Filipino jihadist called Abu Yaqeen in preparation for joining his ranks in the south of the country.

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The ginger-haired Lewis refused to stand in court, declaring: “I’m not allowed to stand for anyone but God.”

The accused wore a traditional black Muslim skull cap, a green t-shirt and prison-issue tracksuit bottoms in the dock.

He spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, address and his British nationality.

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As the charges against him were read out, he said after each one: “I declare myself innocent of that charge.”

Ludlow was arrested on April 18 by officers from Kent’s Counter Terrorism unit, prosecutor Mark Dawson said.

He was later charged with two charges relating to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and one contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism Act.

Mr Dawson said: “Charge one relates with the defendant’s intention to travel to the Philippines to join up with Daesh, the Islamic State.

“Charge two relates to the contact he has with Abu Yaqeen, a man in the Philippines to send money to the benefit of Islamic State fighters in the Philippines.

“And charge three relates to the defendant planning a large-scale, multiple-casualty vehicle-borne assault, perhaps in the Oxford Street area of London.”

Ludlow was also accused of swearing an oath of allegiance to Islamic State and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

No bail application was made and he was remanded in custody. He will next appear before the Central Criminal Court on 11 May.

Ludlow is not the first British muslim convert to plan joining the Islamic State in the Philippines. In February last year, we reported on the case of Ryan Counsell, who was found guilty of planning to join Abu Sayyaf. The Nottingham supermarket worker had already booked flight tickets to Zamboanga and amassed a hoard of military kit when arrested.