Birmingham jihadist who planned to offer his life to Isis is jailed

Gabriel Rasmus, 30, of Chain Walk, Lozells, Birmingham, admitted preparing for terrorist acts and was arrested alongside Anas Abdalla and Mahamuud Diini when they were found hiding in a truck at the Kent port of Dover on April 3 last year.

Rasmus, who comes from a Christian family and converted to Islam in 2008, was sentenced to four years and three months.

Somalia-born Abdalla, 27, of Fox Hollies Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham, who was found guilty after a retrial, was sentenced to five years.

Rasmus and Abdalla had planned to "join forces with Islamic State to offer their services together with their lives if need be", according to prosecutor Karen Robinson at the Old Bailey.

The court previously heard that the men had been befriended by undercover officer "Muhamed" who secretly recorded their conversations.

West Midlands Police revealed how an extensive surveillance and undercover operation provided vital information on the group's plans.

The two were arrested at 7.45am on April 3 last year at the Port of Dover in Kent.

Rasmus had bought walking boots, night scope telescope, a compass, head torch, a route planner, vitamins and thermal drink flask (pictured below) in what police say was evidence of travel plans.

Police said they had travelled to London in a taxi, before hiding in the back of a lorry (pictured below) in an attempt to smuggle themselves out of the country.

Detectives instructed ports officers to check the lorry, and the men were found lying on the floor dressed in winter coats and each with a rucksack.

Searches at their homes revealed extremist material on computers and USBs as well as online searches linked to their plan.

Once in Europe their plan was to travel through Albania or Bulgaria to Greece, Turkey and into Syria, police said.

ACC Marcus Beale, Counter Terrorism Lead for West Midlands Police, said: "Today's sentences send a clear message to hopefully deter anyone planning to travel to Syria to join Daesh.

"As part of this investigation, extensive surveillance and undercover activity was used. They were unknowingly being monitored by our officers who swooped as they attempted to leave the port.

"We will use every lawful technique and power available to us to prevent people from travelling to Syria.

"If anyone is concerned that a friend or family member is thinking of travelling to Syria it is very important that they tell us as soon as possible. Police and other agencies can offer support to help safeguard those who are vulnerable to radicalisers.

After passing sentence, Judge Richard Marks QC paid tribute to Muhamed for having put himself in a "difficult, dangerous and vulnerable situation".

Ms Robinson told the court that Rasmus said if he had to "stay in this country he would commit some terrorist attack here".

According to Ms Robinson, Rasmus also said: "I don't want to do something here until I keep trying to go there first."

He added: "If I can't go there, then yeah."

She said he made reference to "there", "going there" and "being out there", meaning Syria.

An audio recording played in court featured Rasmus saying he could "work here" in a discussion about messages he had received from someone in Syria, adding: "Look what's happening in France and Belgium. It's going to start happening here as well."

He also added: "It's another option innit."

But Rasmus, who was representing himself, said he was just repeating what the person in Syria had said and was not saying he was considering terrorism in the UK.

He later told the judge: "I think I've been portrayed as some crazy jihadi evil guy."

The judge said that while his remarks had been of "particular concern" to him, he was "not certain" that Rasmus had a clear intention to commit terrorist acts here.

Rasmus, who moved to the UK from South Africa in 1999 and has four children with three different women, was told by the judge that he did not accept his claims that he planned trips to Istanbul for a holiday and for work.

The court heard that in relation to the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, Rasmus had said: "The brothers did a good job, man."

Meanwhile Ms Robinson also told the court that Abdalla was heard complaining about his work and "having to work with non-Muslims".

Abdalla's retrial was heard partly in secret because the case was said to involve matters of "an extremely sensitive and confidential nature".

It can now be reported that the judge's order under Section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 had barred the public from being present when any evidence was called by the prosecution which "confirm or deny" allegations made in Abdalla's defence statement.

They were the allegation of contact or attempted contact with MI5 and his claim that "he would not be allowed by MI5 to live and progress normal expectations and achievements in life".

The court was closed during parts of Abdalla's evidence in the witness box, closing speeches by lawyers and the judge's summing up.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC told how the three men were befriended by undercover officer "Muhamed".

Muhamed initially met Rasmus, who was a "subject of interest" to police, and went on to spend time with both Abdalla and Diini, the court heard.

During meetings, Rasmus had repeatedly referred to "being out there" in Syria and told the officer about his earlier attempts to go.

Jurors were told how former asylum seeker Abdalla spoke about feeling "dirty" doing his IT job and said: "September 11 was so good."

Co-defendant Diini, also 27, of Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, was cleared following a trial earlier this year.