Muslim convert jailed for planning ‘spectacular’ terror attack on Oxford Street

A jihadi who called himself The Eagle and plotted to murder around 100 people outside a Disney store on London’s Oxford Street has been jailed for life.

Muslim convert Lewis Ludlow will serve a minimum of 15 years after he filmed himself swearing allegiance to Islamic State in the run up to his planned attack, which would have seen him drive a van into crowds of shoppers.

In the two-minute clip declaring his allegiance to Isis, which can be viewed below, he says: “This is an introduction, I am The Eagle.” 

He adds: “There is nothing between us but animosity and hatred. Therefore I pledge allegiance to Islamic State, we love death as much as you love life. I have nothing for this country of Britain. I spit on your citizenship, your passport, you can go to hell with that.”

A member of the public first reporting concerns about his behaviour in 2010. . . But despite the tip off and the fact Ludlow, who called himself Ali Hussein, was arrested in 2015 and found to be in possession of Isis material he was released without charge. He had previously been on marches led by hate preacher Anjem Choudary and had been seen with him and Lee Rigby’s killer Michael Adebowale.

…he was stopped from travelling to Zamboanga, a city on the southern peninsula of the Philippines. The region, described as “a very unusual place for a young man to want to travel, has a heavy Isis presence. He claimed he was a sex tourist but his passport was taken away and it was later discovered he’d been in contact with recruiter Abu Yaqueen.

After he was stopped from travelling Ludlow began researching targets including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Disney Store and Madam Tussauds, and also looked into the cost of hiring a van, something DCS Barnes said was “extremely out of character”.

Lewis Ludlow on a reconnaissance mission in London. Picture: CTPSE

Ludlow was charged with two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism and arranging funds or property for the purposes of terrorism …He appeared at the Old Bailey in August and pleaded guilty to one act of preparation and the funding charge. The other charge will remain on file.