Terror suspect didn’t report to the police because he had the flu

A terror suspect accused of breaching a control order blamed a dose of the flu for his his failure to report to police, a court heard.

Known only as QQ, allegedly breached the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 by failing to turn up at a police station in Leicester.

He was reminded of his obligation to attend Mansfield House Police Station last 20 May between 20:00-22:00 by his solicitor in a forwarded email from the Home Office, it was said.

The 41-year-old appeared in court sporting a long black beard and a black fleece over a grey thawb.

He accepted he knew of his obligation to sign on every day, it was said.

Emma Gargitter, prosecuting, said: ‘The prosecution case in short is that when QQ told the police that the reason he did not report was because of the flu was in fact a lie and that he is therefore guilty of breaching the Counter-Terrorism Act 2015 detailed on the inditement.

‘QQ was made the subject of what is known as a temporary exclusion order that came into force in June 2018 and will run for a period of two years, ending this June.’

The order provided a telephone number where QQ could leave a message in the event of unforeseen circumstances but he failed to communicate to say he could not attend on 20 May.

Miss Gargitter said QQ had been ordered to report to a police station every day in Slough, but the location and time changed, sometimes at his request.

An email asking to change the location to Leicester because of Ramadan was sent on 16 May via QQ’s solicitor to the Home Office.

An email was sent back on May 17 to QQ’s solicitor confirming he would attend Mansfield House Police Station on the 18th and 19th between 14:00 to 16:00, and on the 20th between 20:00 and 20:00.

‘On the 18th QQ attended and signed to confirm he had attended, where he verbally confirmed his obligations, however on the 20th he did not turn up,’ added Miss Gargitter.

QQ did not leave a message informing the police he would not attend, the court heard.

Police later seized his mobile and found calls and text messages were allegedly being made at the time QQ claimed he was asleep, the court heard.

The Common Serjeant of London, Judge Richard Marks, QC said: ‘An individual by reason of section 9 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2015 may be required to report to a police station and that is the position so far as the situation is concerned, that is not disputed. The issue is whether he had a reasonable excuse.

‘What is alleged here is that he is subject to an order and did not comply with it.’

QQ denies breaching section 90 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

The trial continues.
ends