Sean O’Neill, Crime & Security Editor
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An outspoken Islamist extremist who shouted down John Reid, the former Home Secretary, at a public meeting has been convicted of terrorist fundraising and inciting terrorism overseas.
Abu Izzadeen, a convert to Islam, was found guilty by a jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court after a trial lasting more than three months.
Five other men who stood trial alongside him were also convicted of terror offences.
Abu Izzadeen was not tried over his disruption of Mr Reid’s meeting, but because of the inflammatory content of a speech he made at Regent’s Park Mosque in 2004.
Video of the speech was found by police in a raid on the home of the exiled cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed.
Abu Izzadeen, who was born Trevor Brooks in Hackney, East London, was former disciple of Bakri Mohammed and a leading figure in his al-Muhajiroun movement.
He was the child of Jamaican immigrants and changed his name to Omar Brooks after his religious conversion before later adopting Abu Izzadeen and styling himself as a preacher.
When Bakri Mohammed left Britain to live in Lebanon, Abu Izzadeen became more prominent and increasingly vociferous. He frequently mocked the victims of terrorist attacks in his speeches.
He told one radio interviewer that the 7/7 attacks were a sign that the West should “wake up and smell the coffee”. In another interview he said the suicide bombings, in which 52 innocent people were killed, had been “completely praiseworthy”.
The former electrician became infamous in September 2006 when, as Mr Reid addressed a public meeting in Leyton, East London, he stood up and drowned out the minister’s speech.
Abu Izzadeen shouted: “How dare you come to a Muslim area when over 1,000 Muslims have been arrested? You are an enemy of Islam and Muslims, you are a tyrant. Shame on all of us for sitting down and listening to him.”
One of those convicted with Abu Izzadeen was Simon Keeler, 35, from Whitechapel, East London, who was also known by the name Sulayman. He is thought to be the first white convert to Islam to be found guilty of terror offences.
Brooks and Keeler were found guilty of fundraising for terrorism along with Shah Jalal Hussain, 24, - who absconded during the trial after being admitted to hospital - and Abdul Muhid, 24. Brooks, Keeler, Abdul Saleem, 31, and Ibrahim Hassan, 21, were convicted of inciting terror abroad.
The jury deliberated for more than 22 hours before returning its verdicts. In addition to the six guilty decisions, one defendant was cleared and the jurors failed to reach a verdict on another.
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I agree with an earlier poster.
Islam is not compatible with the civilised West. We really ought to have limits to our toleration. How dare he tell a minister that he ought not to come to a Muslim area? There are no Muslim areas in this country. This is our country and Muslims stay because we are generous.
jo, london, uk
If you are going to raise funds for a repressed/illegal group, you are stupid to raise attention to yourself to the very authoritites you are trying to hide your operations from. This individual basically painted a 'watch me' sign on himself and then proceeded to do somthing illegal. He is not being charged with the meeting disruptions - his rights to free speech are un-impeaded. It was his actions fundraising for terrorism that got him in trouble.
Wes Byrd, Iowa City, USA/Iowa
While Trevor Brooks alias Abu Izadeen has been preaching hatred against our country we should also remember that reportedly although he is an electrician and can work he and his family have been living on state benefits. Furthermore it is reported he has advertised on the internet for three more wives which presumably he expects the state will support for him. Therefore has our country been complicit in nuturing and supporting Abu Izadeen in his activities - especially as some OAPs have gone to jail for non payment of Council Tax!
jack lumber, Colchester, UK
Terrorism Act used to arrest political hecklers! Are British Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan there to export our values or to import saddam/Taliban strategies for dealing with irritating dissenters ?
hussain, London,
Oh just wait until he gets out, now he'll be even more powerful than ever amongst his followers.
Gustav, Newport Beach, United States / California
Just lock 'em up and throw the key away. Terrorists give Islam a bad name. Actually, they shouldn't even be called Muslims.
Mohammed, London, UK
Are we yet allowed to say that Islam is not compatible with western values, or is Britain still under a PC gag rule?
Betty Fardean, Birmingham,
I suppose they'll get a warning not to do it again, or a few hours community service. The judiciary seem to be terrified of putting these dangerous nasties in prison.
leila, manchester, uk
Terrorism/ Treason? Surely he qualifies for the death penalty? What's the betting that he is in jail for less than a year and then released back into the UK. This man will remain a clear and present danger and should be treated as such.
Ian Jones, Reading, UK
Hardly a day goes by in the UK without news of Muslims being tried or imprisoned for terrorist offences.
Surely it might better with the problem of overcrowding in English jails, that perhaps some Mosques could be converted into prisons?
Edna Burbridge, Engreve, France
This person should be charged with treason or at the very least be excluded from the UK, But it won't happen Labour will probably put him up for a Knighthood, Isnt it a wonderful country this under Labour you can see that feelgood expression on the face of every mugger and car thief
peter k, Vancouver BC., Canada
I am glad that the police and courts are getting to grips with people like this who imperil our everyday lives. The latter are dangerous and fanatical and probably incorrigible. Therefore they will always present a problem to our society.
Deborah Pitt, Penarth, U.K.
John Reid will be remembered for his Labour Conference speech shortly after being heckled by Izzadeen. He said something to the effect that "Izzadeen told us we shouldn't visit areas where Muslims live. Yes we will. Yes we will." Brilliant, and very Scottish. (Memo to Tory anti-Unionists: stop bashing the Scots.)
Benjamin, London,
Justice will be done eventually and we all hope they have many years to reflect on their misguided thoughts. How about being taught the Bible in prison as a "punishment"?
B J Deller, Marbella, Spain
So what was the sentence?
Louise, London,