Female ISIS supporter appears in court accused of plotting to bomb St Paul’s Cathedral and a London hotel

A woman from Middlesex has been charged over an alleged ISIS-inspired plot to bomb St Paul’s Cathedral and a London hotel.

Safiyya Amira Shaikh, 36, from Hayes, was brought before Westminster Magistrates Court today charged with the preparation of terrorist acts and dissemination of terrorist publications.

Prosecutors also claim that, between August 19 and October 10 this year, she prepared the words of a pledge of allegiance to ISIS.

It is further alleged that she shared terrorist documents via groups using the Telegram messaging app and other channels.

She was remanded in custody today and her case was transfered to the Old Bailey, where she is next due to appear on November 1.

Shaikh was arrested by counter terror police last week, in a case then described by Scotland Yard said as ‘Islamist-related’.

A Met spokesman said today: ‘Safiyya Amira Shaikh, of Hayes, Middlesex, has been charged with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006 and dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to section 2 TACT, 2006.’

Police have searched an address in north-west London.

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most iconic landmarks and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the previous cathedral on the site was burned down in the Great Fire of London.

Source: Daily Mail