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23/05/2008
Former Teacher Admits Terror Plot
A man has pleaded guilty to threatening to blow up Europe's largest shopping complex.
Saeed Ghafoor, 33, said he intended to bomb Bluewater shopping centre in Kent using three limousines fitted with gas canisters.
The court heard that when he was quizzed about his plans he said he had not "finalised them".
Ghafoor made the threat to prison officers at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria in February where he was serving a sentence for threatening to kill his sister and assault.
Prosecutor Pierce Arnold said he "did not know if he could have carried it out" but that "it appeared on the face of it to be a serious threat".
The defendant, who appeared in court via video-link said he was "protesting at the involvement of British and American troops in Afghanistan".
He pleaded guilty to threatening to cause criminal damage.
The former English teacher from Southampton was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
It is reported that Ghafoor has a history of domestic trouble.
Bluewater shopping complex fell target to a gang of terrorists last year, who were jailed for planning to plant a fertiliser bomb at the centre.
A 22-year-old man is being questioned for his involvement in a blast at Princesshay shopping mall, in Exeter, yesterday.
(DS)
Saeed Ghafoor, 33, said he intended to bomb Bluewater shopping centre in Kent using three limousines fitted with gas canisters.
The court heard that when he was quizzed about his plans he said he had not "finalised them".
Ghafoor made the threat to prison officers at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria in February where he was serving a sentence for threatening to kill his sister and assault.
Prosecutor Pierce Arnold said he "did not know if he could have carried it out" but that "it appeared on the face of it to be a serious threat".
The defendant, who appeared in court via video-link said he was "protesting at the involvement of British and American troops in Afghanistan".
He pleaded guilty to threatening to cause criminal damage.
The former English teacher from Southampton was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
It is reported that Ghafoor has a history of domestic trouble.
Bluewater shopping complex fell target to a gang of terrorists last year, who were jailed for planning to plant a fertiliser bomb at the centre.
A 22-year-old man is being questioned for his involvement in a blast at Princesshay shopping mall, in Exeter, yesterday.
(DS)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Dry, bright start this morning with best of sunshine in the west. Thickening cloud over Down and Antrim this morning with a few showers, extending westwards this afternoon. Lighter winds. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Rather cloudy and mainly dry at first, then showery outbreaks of rain extending westwards to most places during the night, turning heavier towards morning. Light winds. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
