Fifth person charged over damage to planes at RAF Brize Norton
Muhammad Umer Khalid, of no fixed abode, has been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, both offences contrary to section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said.
The 22-year-old was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on June 20.
The action, which was claimed by the group Palestine Action, caused £7 million worth of damage to the aircraft.
The Government moved to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws after the group claimed responsibility.
Four people were charged last month in connection with the incident.
One woman who was arrested remains under investigation on police bail and one man previously arrested was released without charge.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Neo-Nazi group leader sentenced to 20 years in prison for planned Maryland power grid attack
The founder of a Florida-based neo-Nazi group has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring with his girlfriend to plan an attack on Maryland's power grid in furtherance of their shared racist beliefs. Brandon Russell, 30, was convicted by a jury earlier this year. Prosecutors presented evidence detailing his longstanding affiliation with white supremacist causes and his recent efforts to organize 'sniper attacks' on electrical substations around Baltimore. During a sentencing hearing Thursday afternoon in federal court in Baltimore, U.S. District Judge James Bredar excoriated the defendant for his reprehensible views, saying Russell was clearly the brains behind the operation, which sought to precipitate societal collapse by targeting the energy infrastructure of a majority-Black city. In the aftermath of the planned attacks, Russell and his co-defendant, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, intended to 'create their own bizarre utopia populated by people who only look and think like they do,' Bredar said. 'Well, that's not how it works,' the judge continued. 'The law doesn't permit that. We don't change course in this country via violent overthrow.' Bredar imposed the maximum sentence allowed for Russell's conviction of conspiracy to damage an energy facility. The judge also ordered a lifetime of supervised release, including close monitoring of Russell's electronic devices. Bredar previously sentenced Clendaniel to 18 years behind bars after she pleaded guilty to her role in the plot. He said Russell should receive a longer sentence because he was more culpable and contributed the 'intellectual horsepower' that propelled the plot closer to fruition. The two were arrested in February 2023 — before their plans were executed. Russell's attorney, Ian Goldstein, has argued that Clendaniel posed a greater threat because she was taking steps to obtain a firearm and shoot up electrical substations. Meanwhile, Russell was living in Florida with absolutely no plans to travel to Maryland, according to his attorney. 'For Mr. Russell, everything was talk,' Goldstein told the court. He also pointed to Russell's supportive family. Court papers filed ahead of sentencing included a letter from his mother, who said she believes he's been trying to fill the void left by a largely absent father. She said some challenges arose with her son after she moved them back to the Bahamas, where she has relatives. 'Brandon Russell is an educated young man who has served this country's military,' his attorney wrote, connecting his descent into Naziism with longstanding mental health challenges. 'His family relationships speak volumes of the person he can be.' The judge wasn't persuaded, but he noted Russell's 'somewhat complicated psycho-social history' and recommended mental health treatment during his time in prison. Russell declined to address the judge directly. He appeared in court wearing maroon prison attire and showed no obvious signs of emotion during the hearing. Several years ago, Russell co-founded the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, which is German for 'atomic weapon.' This wasn't his first run-in with law enforcement. In 2017, police responded to a 2017 double homicide at a Tampa apartment building and found Russell outside crying, dressed in military fatigues. One of his roommates had killed the other two, officials said. During a search of the house, police found a stash of highly explosive materials and a cache of neo-Nazi signs, posters, books and flags. Russell pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered destructive device and improper storage of explosives.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Parrot helps law enforcement uncover drug trafficking ring, leading to major bust
A parrot trained to mimic drug-related phrases played an unlikely role in helping British police dismantle a narcotics network operating inside a prison, authorities revealed this week. The Lancashire Constabulary announced charges against 15 people linked to the gang, which allegedly trafficked drugs across Blackpool, England, between February 2023 and July 2024. The group was led by 35-year-old Adam Garnett, who was already serving a prison sentence when the operation was uncovered. The investigation began after prison officials searched Garnett's cell and found multiple mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers. That discovery led police to several of his suspected associates, including Dalbir Sandhu, Shannon Hilton and Jason Gerrand. Searches of their homes turned up heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, large sums of cash and mobile phones allegedly tied to the drug trade. One of the more bizarre findings came from Hilton's phone, which police say contained videos showing her parrot, named "Mango," repeating "two for 25," a suspected drug deal reference. Another clip reportedly showed the bird playing with cash allegedly linked to illicit profits. "What's the most talented thing your pet can do? Sit? Give paw? How about speak?" Lancashire Police wrote in a post on the department's Facebook page. "One drug dealer's parrot learned to say 'two for 25' - a phrase picked up as part of common language used by the organised crime gang run by her boyfriend. Not a phrase you want your parrot squawking when the police come knocking!" Investigators also uncovered video calls between Hilton and Garnett, along with footage appearing to show kilogram-sized packages of cocaine, sometimes accompanied by music lyrics referencing the drug. Despite being behind bars, authorities say Garnett remained at the center of the operation, directing efforts to hide evidence and maintaining contact with nearly every member of the criminal network. Det. Sgt. Anthony Alves of Lancashire Police's West Targeted Crime Team praised the outcome, calling it a "coordinated and complex drug operation that extended far beyond prison walls." "Garnett continued to run his enterprise while incarcerated, using illegal devices to maintain control. I want to thank my team, our partners at the Crown Prosecution Service, and our prosecution team for their dedication to bringing these criminals to justice." He added that warrants remain active for Chloe Stott and Ryan Black and urged the public to come forward with any information about their whereabouts. Authorities say additional evidence from suspects' phones included videos flaunting large amounts of cash, drug-related rap lyrics and documented drug transactions. Garnett was sentenced to an additional 19 years and six months in prison to be served consecutively with his existing 15-year term. Hilton, 29, received 12 years while Sandhu, 41, was sentenced to 10. The bust was part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Police's initiative to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, exploitation and violence in the region. The initiative is supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, who applauded the arrests and convictions. "This sends a clear message: we will not tolerate organized crime in our communities. I remain committed to giving law enforcement the resources they need to take down these gangs and protect the public." Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Charity rowing crew mistaken for Channel migrants by Norfolk MP
A charity rowing crew was contacted by the coastguard near Great Yarmouth after the local MP mistook them for 'illegal migrants'. Rupert Lowe, elected as a Reform UK MP but now sitting as an Independent, posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast. He included the message: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported. 'Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW.' But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND). The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby. Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the coastguard was asking about his own boat. 'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said. After satisfying the coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the coastguard as the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'. Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'. He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before. 'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.' He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.' The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales. They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'. The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research. So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity. Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million. 'We certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.'
