Andrew Ibrahim

Andrew Ibrahim
Born (1989-01-25) 25 January 1989 (age 35)
Bristol, England
Other namesIsa Ibrahim
OccupationStudent
Conviction(s)Making explosives with intent
Preparing terrorist acts
Making an explosive substance[1]
Criminal penaltyIndeterminate prison sentence
Minimum 10 years

Andrew Philip Michael Ibrahim (born 25 January 1989) is a British Muslim convert, also known as Isa Ibrahim after his conversion to Islam. Ibrahim was arrested by the Avon and Somerset Police on suspicion of terrorism, and on 17 July 2009 convicted of preparing terrorist acts.[1]

Early life

Ibrahim was born to a Coptic Christian Egyptian father and an English mother, Vicky.[2] He is the son of an NHS consultant pathologist.[3]

Education

Ibrahim attended four schools: Colston's School and Queen Elizabeth's Hospital in Bristol, Downside School in Somerset, and Bristol Cathedral School. At the time of his arrest he was a student at City of Bristol College.[4][5]

Arrest

Ibrahim was arrested after inquiries prompted by a tip-off from within the city's Muslim community.[6]

After his arrest police evacuated residents[7] in Comb Paddock, Westbury-on-Trym, a Bristol suburb, whilst soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps[8] carried out controlled explosions at his home/flat.[9] The police also sealed off and searched nearby woodland.[10]

Prosecution

On 30 April 2008 Ibrahim was charged with terrorist offences. They were: 1. possession of an explosive substance 2. intent to commit terrorism and 3. possession of articles for terrorist purposes.[11]

He was accused of possessing the explosive substance hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, also known as HMTD, an organic chemical compound. He was also accused of possessing two home-made vests, ball bearings, air gun pellets, nails and screws, wired circuitry, batteries and electric bulb filaments.[11]

On 30 April 2008 Ibrahim appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court. After a short hearing he was remanded in custody until 23 May.[12] He was accused of having an explosive substance with intent and also charged with intending to commit a terrorist act by intending to construct and detonate an improvised explosive device.[13]

On 17 July 2009 at Winchester Crown Court Ibrahim was given an indeterminate sentence, with a minimum of ten years in jail.[1]

References and notes

  1. ^ a b c "Jail for 'suicide vest' student". BBC News. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  2. ^ The Boarding School Bomber, BBC Three, 21 November 2011
  3. ^ Gardham, Duncan (19 April 2008). "NHS consultant's teenage son is terror suspect". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  4. ^ Andrew Ibrahim: How a public schoolboy became a terrorist, 18 Jul 2009, The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 29 July 2009.
  5. ^ Bristol student guilty of bomb plot, 17 July 2009, Bristol Evening Post Archived 20 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 29 July 2009.
  6. ^ "Teenager facing terrorism charges". BBC News. 29 April 2008.
  7. ^ "News". Archived from the original on 21 April 2008.
  8. ^ "Breaking News, World News & Multimedia".
  9. ^ "Third controlled blast in Bristol". Independent.co.uk. 20 April 2008. Archived from the original on 20 April 2008.
  10. ^ "Woodland searched in terror probe". BBC News. 24 April 2008.
  11. ^ a b "Terror-charge student faces court". BBC News. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  12. ^ Stevenson, Rachel (30 April 2008). "Teenager faces court charged with bomb plot". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  13. ^ Gardham, Duncan (29 April 2008). "Bristol teenager Andrew Ibrahim charged with plotting terrorist bomb attack". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 August 2018.