Muslim convert who gelled his hair to ‘look like Syrian’ is jailed for trying to join ISIS terrorist group

A balding Muslim convert who gelled his thinning hair in a bid to “look Syrian” has been jailed for five years for trying to join ISIS.

Liverpudlian Ismael Watson, 27, formerly known as Jack, grew to loathe Britain after he was radicalised online.

He flew to Turkey and tried to cross the border into the war-torn country between 1 January 2016 and 23 February this year.

Watson was intercepted by Turkish authorities and deported to the UK after vowing to carry out terrorist atrocities during encrypted chats with undercover MI5 agents.

Prosecutors said the chats show Watson’s ‘hatred for Western society’ and his determination to fight in a ‘holy war against Western oppressors’.

He admitted trying to fight for Isis but denied preparing to commit acts of terrorism, claiming the UK’s courts cannot judge him.

The terrorist, who refused to attend court and was not represented, was found guilty by an Old Bailey after just 35 minutes deliberation in September.

Judge Anuja Dhir, QC, jailed him for five years and must serve an extended licence period of 12 months.

Watson listened to proceedings in subdued silence flanked by a male and female security guards in the dock.

Judge Dhir said: “You had made elaborate plans to travel to Syria but were detained by Turkish police and deported to England.”

“I have no doubt that if you had succeeded you would have joined IS and have fought for them.

“You demonstrated a willingness to kill for IS and held extreme and radical beliefs.”

The judge halted Watson’s first trial in August after she was forced to discharge one of the jurors for reasons which were not divulged in open court.

Watson grew up with a non-Muslim family in Liverpool before he converted to Islam and moved to Walsall in the West Midlands.

He became ‘quickly radicalised’ after watching Isis videos online in 2015.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow, QC, said: “Between January of last year and February of this year, Ismael Watson made preparations to travel to Syria in order that he could join and fight for the terrorist group Islamic State.”

Mr Glasgow said Watson flew to Turkey and then tried to arrange to cross the border into Syria with jihadis he contacted on encrypted messaging app Telegram.

“Little did he realise when he was speaking to people on the internet that two of those with whom he discussed his plans were officers working for the security services, and that everything he said to them was being recorded,” said the prosecutor.

Jurors were told Watson’s encrypted chats with undercover agents “reveal the extent of his hatred for Western society and his avowed intent to take part in terrorist activity.”

Mr Glasgow said: “There is no doubt that had he succeeded in his attempt to enter Syria he would have joined IS and that he would have fought for them.”

When Watson was interviewed by UK police “he admitted that it had been his plan to join Isis’ to fight ‘a holy war against Western oppressors,” Mr Glasgow said.

“He doesn’t accept that what he has done is a criminal offence and he doesn’t recognise this court as having any power to judge him.”

Watson’s mother described him as ‘meek, mild and easily influenced’, but jurors heard he became distant from his family after converting to Islam.

In September 2015 he married Sharmina Begum at the Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham, but he became so radical that she left him in January 2016 after they moved to Walsall in the West Midlands.

“He started to watch IS videos and listening to lectures about jihad,’ said Mr Glasgow.

“He started to refer to non-Muslims as kuffars [non-believers] and he spoke of his desire to travel to Syria.”

“Joining Isis and helping them in any capacity, whether it’s to fight or anything else would be an act of terrorism,” explained Mr Glasgow.

Watson, who spent four months in Broad Green mental hospital, said in court: “After I left my wife, my life became chaotic.

“I was detained in Turkey during the revolution and was not able to sleep, eat, or see the sunlight.

“I wanted to go to Egypt or Sudan, somewhere I would feel welcomed.”

Watson, of no fixed address but last living in Walsall, denied but was convicted of preparing to commit acts of terrorism between 1 January 2016 and 23 February this year contrary to Section 5 Terrorism Act 2006.

Source: Mirror