Walsall terror trial: Friends 'left families to fight for ISIS'

Sajid Aslam, Jacob Petty, also known as Abu Yaqood Britany, and Isaiah Siadatan left their home town to join the organisation between July and December 2014, it has emerged at a trial at the Old Bailey.

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Alex Nash, 22, and his wife Yousma Jan also set off for Syria – but were arrested by Turkish police at Gaziantep, the court heard.

Aslam, aged 34, was allegedly dropped off at Birmingham Airport by friend Ayman Shaukat, who is standing trial for two counts of terrorism offences.

Coventry University law graduate Shaukat, 27, worked for Equity in Finance Ltd, which has a registered address at Hilton Hall in Essington. He was treasurer of Islam Walsall, the court heard.

He is appearing at the Old Bailey for a trial along with Aslam's wife Lorna Moore, who allegedly failed to tell authorities her husband was poised to join Islamic State.

The court heard how Muslim convert Petty, 25, was the first of the group to travel to Syria in July 2014. He was killed before the year was out.

Petty was joined by his old school friend Siadatan, who left behind his wife and two children. It is unknown whether he is still alive.

Aslam was helped on his way by Shaukat who dropped him off at the airport on August 23, the court heard. Later that day, Shaukat sent a photograph of himself in his bedroom with the Isis flag to a friend on WhatsApp, the court heard.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher QC told jurors: "The prosecution suggest that a clear overall picture emerges from the evidence – this was a group of friends all intent on going out to Syria to fight for Isis, and providing each other with help and support, in which Shaukat played an instrumental role – and indeed, it would appear that he would say that the only reason that he did not go out as well was his lack of passport."

Moore, of Glebe Street, Walsall, denies failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism on or before August 24, 2014, that might be of assistance in securing the apprehension of Aslam.

Shaukat, of Pargeter Street, Walsall, denies two counts of preparing for terrorist acts in relation to helping Aslam and Nash, as well as possession of information contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.

Nash has admitted he was planning to go to Syria and pleaded guilty to preparing acts of terrorism.