A COVENTRY man has been jailed for 20 years for preparing acts of terrorism after building a drone which he intended to supply to ISIS.
The jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard how PhD student Mohamad Al-Bared, aged 27 of Kare Road in Coventry, made the drone specifically to transport an explosive or chemical weapon into enemy territory for the terrorist organisation.
Component parts for the drone were made on his 3D printer found at his home on Kare Road.
He was arrested in the city on January 31 after his home address was raided by officers who seized the drone, 3D printer and several devices including phones and a laptop.
Analysis of these devices revealed a series of conversations clearly demonstrating his support for ISIS as well as extremist material and violent propaganda videos.
Detectives also found notebooks detailing chemical equations and recipes for chemical weapons in a subsequent search of his address.
Despite Al-Bared having studied mechanical and chemical engineering, it was clear the chemicals referenced were to be used as weapons.
His devices also documented conversations on how he had researched and worked out how to get the drone into a war zone without being stopped by authorities.
And he had set up a spoof company so he could pretend to be travelling on business.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, Detective Chief Supt Mark Payne said: “Al-Bared was a calculated individual and coupled with his education and expertise in mechanical and chemical engineering he was clearly very dangerous.
“He has made a purpose-built drone able to carry explosives or chemicals to be used as a weapon in a war zone, thankfully he was unable to continue his efforts following his swift arrest earlier this year.
“The jury heard how security conscious he was going to great lengths to try to hide anything that might lead to his identification.
“We will continue to work with partners and the CPS to protect our communities by pursuing and prosecuting such individuals.”
