A Muslim convert who wanted to blow up St Paul's Cathedral in London was a drug abuser with family problems and was vulnerable to radicalisation, a court was told.
At a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey in London, which will continue on Tuesday, prosecutor Alison Morgan described Safiyya Amira Sheikh, 37, as "a violent extremist who pledged her support" to ISIS.
Shaikh, who was born Michelle Ramsden, from Hayes in west London, has admitted to preparing extremist acts and disseminating terrorist information. She became a Muslim in 2007 but her family did not support her conversion and she became isolated, the court heard.
Shaikh had watched hours of extremist videos online, including some produced by ISIS and Abdullah Azzam, the Palestinian co-founder of Al Qaeda.
While many of the extremist videos that helped to radicalise Safiyya Amira Shaikh are no longer available, other radical content remains online because it does not explicitly condone acts of terrorism, with much of it easily available on YouTube.
Shaikh's plot to bomb St Paul's was stopped by undercover intelligence officers who befriended her.
She sent one of the officers photos from inside St Paul’s with the message: “Under this dome. I would like to put the bomb.”
In another post, Shaikh said: “Always wanted to be a warrior soldier of Allah. I just don’t want to waste any second.
"If I am going to die, I want to do most I can until the end.”
She said she wanted to achieve martyrdom after becoming disillusioned with the "moderate version of Islam" she found in mosques.
The Global Network on Extremism and Technology, a research group that studies how terrorists use technology, explained how Shaikh had been radicalised and how the material that tempted her is still available online.
It said there were three aspects of her life that made her vulnerable to terrorists: Shaikh had a drug problem, was isolated from family and friends and lacked critical thinking skills, which allowed her to believe she could change the colour of her eyes.
Online, she was an administrator on a Facebook page for Muslim converts, especially women, that was created in 2012 and she was also active on Telegram.
Her YouTube playlists, with titles such as "drug support" and "duha [prayer] for addict", offered an insight into her state of mind.
Shaikh tried to find social belonging online and she would also attempt to build relationships offline, attending mosques and trying to meet other female converts in person.
But the court heard these efforts ended by the start of 2016.
Shaikh was susceptible to conspiracy theories, including one that claimed Jewish people were responsible for the 9/11 attacks in the United States, and ideas that sound waves could change eye colour to purple.
She also spent hours watching material from some of the most notorious extremists in the world.
Much of this content is still easily accessible because it is promoted as Islamic teachings or does not directly call for violence.
And because of that, YouTube moderators may not automatically detect it or be aware of its potential for harm.
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
more from Janine di Giovanni
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.10pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Canvassed, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
WORLD CUP FINAL
England v South Africa
Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
Man City: Agüero (25', 35', 75'), Jesus (31'), Silva (48'), Kongolo (84' og)
Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')
Australia (15-1): Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui; Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Jack Maddocks.
