Lancashire Teen Admits Planning Gun Attack, Somalia Travel

Muhammad Billal, an 18-year-old from Nelson, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to charges related to planning a terrorist gun attack and attempting to travel to Somalia. He was charged with two counts of preparation of terrorist acts and four counts of collecting information likely to assist terrorism, including possession of issues of Rumiyah, an Islamic State propaganda magazine. Billal's activities included researching shooting ranges, purchasing ammunition-holding chest rigs, online reconnaissance of attack locations, attempting to illicitly purchase a firearm, and planning his travel to Somalia with measures to avoid suspicion, such as changing his appearance and deleting extremist material. He also obtained a visa for Ethiopia to facilitate crossing into Somalia. Billal was not represented by a lawyer during his plea and declined legal representation until sentencing, which is scheduled for autumn after a pre-sentence report assesses his motives and danger to the public. He remains in custody pending a further hearing at the Old Bailey.