14 year old boy (convert to Islam) from Eastleigh charged for ‘preparation of terrorist acts’

From Eastleigh News  Update from Sky Radio News and the BBC

Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) have charged a 14 year old boy from Eastleigh with one count of preparation of terrorist acts, section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006 connected to Islamist terrorism.

The boy who cannot be named because of his age, was initially arrested by officers from Hampshire Constabulary on Friday 12th June and subsequently further arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, by detectives from CTPSE.

He is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow (Today – Thursday 18th June).

CTPSE said it believed the incident was “isolated”, with no wider risk to the community.

It added in a statement: “We know the community of Eastleigh might be concerned about this news, however Hampshire Constabulary have been working closely with colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing South East on this investigation and we want to reassure you that we believe the investigation is isolated, and with no known wider risk to the community.

Update from Sky Radio News just now. The boy is charged with making a bomb or bombs. He is one of the youngest eve charged and cannot be named because of his youth. 

A 14-year-old boy has appeared in court accused of trying to make homemade bombs containing shrapnel in preparation for an act of terrorism.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with one count of preparation of a terrorist act.

The defendant did not enter a plea and was remanded in youth detention.

He is next due to to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday 22 June.

The court was told the boy had converted to Islam.

It is alleged he researched how to make explosives, constructed a series of devices with the aim of making them explosive devices containing shrapnel, and had recorded a video saying he wanted to be a martyr.