Matthew King, 19, from Wickford, Essex, admitted to spying on an Army barracks in East Ham, as well as Stratford Magistrates Court, police stations, and railway stations in London. The young extremist pleaded guilty today at the Old Bailey to preparing terrorist acts.
According to court documents, King “actively desired” to travel to Syria to join ISIS activities. He sought advice on social media about how to get there, discussing routes in a WhatsApp group. King told an associate known only as “JF” about his plans and made videos praising ISIS.
When travel to Syria failed, King admitted he would consider carrying out a terror attack in the UK. In December 2021, he opened an online account with Knife Warehouse intending to buy a blade. In March 2022, he purchased tactical gloves and goggles from an army surplus store in Cambridgeshire.
Between March and May 2022, King photographed police officers in Stratford twice and filmed the side entrance of Stratford Police Station during a third visit. On 17 May last year, he recorded footage of Stratford Army Barracks and briefly considered attacking someone linked to the base.
King also posted a WhatsApp video featuring a knife-wielding figure with chants urging jihad. The message said: “Our jihad will continue until we vanish on the day of judgement! So, young man, draw your sword and slay the kufr.”
An anti-terror hotline and the Prevent programme flagged King’s concerning activity after the video surfaced in April 2022. The Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command arrested King at his home on 18 May last year and seized his phone.
Following his arrest, King reportedly said, “I don’t believe in UK law; the only law I believe in is Allah’s law.” Prosecutors stated that his plot targeted serving police or military personnel and was motivated by extremist Islamic beliefs.
Although no specific terror act has been identified, evidence showed King was well into preparation. The court will determine how far his dangerous plans had advanced.
Originally published by UKNIP.
