Sunderland Man Jailed Over Terror Offences

13 November 2015, 15:23 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A takeaway chef and father of six from Sunderland has been jailed for five years after he was convicted of spreading Islamic State's message and planning to travel to Syria.

37 year old Mohammed Kahar was convicted by a jury of 10 terror charges following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Mrs Justice Andrews said the defendant had taken steps to go to Syria with the intention of going to fight for IS.

His interest in the terror group began as early as October 2013, and he spread their message using multiple online accounts, trying to convince friends and relatives that they should also support IS.

Kahar was convicted of preparation of a terrorist act and five counts of disseminating terrorist publications.

He was also guilty of a funding offence and supporting a proscribed organisation.

He had told the jury he did not support violence, and killing other Muslims was against Islam.

Anne Whyte QC, prosecuting, said the offending was aggravated by its scale.

Toby Hedworth QC, defending, said:
"If he had got himself to Syria, the prospects of the defendant doing very much, I think, are very much remote in the extreme.''

The judge said she did not consider him to be dangerous, and therefore requiring an extended sentence.

She said the businessman had led a "hitherto blameless life''.