A Londoner who attempted to travel to Syria has today, Tuesday, 28 February been found guilty of a terrorism offences.
Patrick Kabele, 32 (26.02.84) of High Road, NW10 was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts – namely attempting to travel to Syria – contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006.
He has remanded in custody and will appear at Woolwich Crown Court to be sentenced on a date to be confirmed.
The court heard how Kabele was stopped under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act at Gatwick Airport on 20 August 2016, as he attempted to board a flight to Sabiha Gokcen Airport, Istanbul.
When he was searched he was in possession of £3,000 along with numerous media devices. He refused to answer questions about his travel plans and was reminded of his duty to answer questions under Schedule 7. When he continued to answer no comment he was arrested under paragraph 18 of Schedule 7 of TACT for wilfully failing to comply.
On 23 August 2016 Counter Terrorism officers were contacted in relation to the above and took ownership of the investigation.
Inspection of his media devices revealed his plans and on the 24 August officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command attended his home and arrested him on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
On the 25 August he was charged with preparation of terrorist acts. The acts being applying for a Turkish visa; purchasing his flight ticket; attending the airport and having in his possession of £3,000 in cash. All of these preparations were done so that Kabele could travel out to fight with ISIS.
Commander Dean Haydon, MPS Counter Terrorism Command said: “Kabele’s intention to join ISIS is made very clear in his own notes. Due to the good work of officers at the airport, who spotted Kabele and questionned him, as well as the investigation team who pieced the case together, we have prevented someone from travelling to fight for a terrorist group.”
