Man jailed for terrorism offences

A Birmingham man was yesterday jailed for possessing a terrorism video on how to make a bomb.

Adam Mahmood, aged 20, from Platt Brook Way, Sheldon, was sentenced to four years after he was found guilty in September last year.

In April 2024, Mahmood was arrested from his home in connection with disseminating extreme terrorism material and his phone was seized.

Following analysis of the phone, a 15 minute video was identified which detailed how to make an explosive. The jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard evidence that Mahmood had specifically searched for this particular video.

Other propaganda material such as videos of executions were also found on the phone.

Messages were found detailing conversations about making a sword; a part-made sword was found at his home. A number of weapons were found when his bedroom was searched including several knives.

In police interview, Mahmood agreed he had written the posts as well as admitting that the weapons found at his home were his but he denied he was a terrorist.

Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst, who leads Counter Terrorism Policing in the West Midlands, said: "Videos found on Mahmood’s phone were dangerous and showed extreme violence.

"The instructional video was assessed by an expert who considered that the guide was easy to follow even for someone with no previous training in explosive manufacturing and therefore incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands."

Anyone who sees or hears something that could be terrorist-related should act on their instincts and call the police in confidence on 0800 789 321.

In an emergency, always dial 999. Visit gov.uk/ACT for more information, including how to report extremist or terrorist content that is online.