Safiyya Shaikh, 36, from Hayes, Middlesex, has admitted to two serious terrorism offences at the Old Bailey on Friday 21 February.
Shaikh pleaded guilty to preparing terrorist acts between August and October 2019. During this period, she contacted someone she believed could assist in making explosives, researched terror methods, and planned an attack.
She travelled to central London and stayed in a hotel to carry out reconnaissance. The hotel itself was targeted for an explosive device, and she also scoped out St Paul’s Cathedral as a second bombing target. Additionally, Shaikh handed over two bags intended to hold bombs and prepared a pledge of allegiance to ISIS (Daesh).
In a further admission, Shaikh acknowledged disseminating terrorist publications via the messaging app Telegram. This enabled others to access extremist content and encouraged terrorism between August and October 2019.
Shaikh remains in custody ahead of her sentencing, which is scheduled for 11 May at the Old Bailey.
Police have emphasised the importance of public vigilance in preventing terror attacks. Thousands of reports each year help stop threats before they materialise.
“If you see or hear something suspicious, trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it confidentially at https://act.campaign.gov.uk/. Reporting won’t ruin lives but could save them,” police said.
Action Counters Terrorism.
Originally published by UKNIP.
