Robert Clarke was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court
Comments (0)
A PEMBREY man who tried to join the fight against so-called Islamic State in Syria wanted to "assist victims of war", his defence solicitor said.
Former solider Robert Clarke was detained at Heathrow Airport as he tried to board a flight to Jordan.
The 23-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempting to leave the UK to travel to the Middle East to join the fight against terrorism.
He was today sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court for an offence under the Terrorism Act for obstructing a police search.
He pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to give officers his mobile phone pin number when required to do so, after a judge heard how he had planned to join up with Kurdish forces.
He received death threats from individuals purporting to be Islamic extremists after reports of his arrest emerged, his solicitor told the court.
'Luggage contained military paraphernalia'
Defending Clarke, Korina Claire, said her client believed his intentions had been good and he had planned to go to Syria to "assist victims of war".
She said his luggage contained medical supplies, which he planned to donate but also "military paraphernalia" and things to "defend himself with".
Of the threats he received, she said: "In the intervening period between charge and his first appearance in this magistrates court he received as a result of press coverage, some extremely nasty threats from Islamic extremists or those purporting to be Islamic extremists."
Ms Claire added that once her client had been remanded in custody she had been contacted by a member of staff in prison, who said he was concerned about Clarke's safety there "given that he had openly stated that he wished to fight against Isis".
She said that as a result, some of his time in prison had been spent in solitary.
'We live in difficult and potentially dangerous times'
Louise Gray, prosecuting, said Clarke came to the attention of police in July last year when it was believed that he was considering travelling to Syria, possibly to fight on behalf of Kurdish forces.
Officers visited Clarke on several occasions and on September 9 he told them that he was booked on a flight in four days' time.
Clarke was stopped and questioned when he arrived at Heathrow Airport.
Ms Gray said he had been seen using an iPhone but refused to give officers his pin number, giving various reasons including that he had forgotten it, that it required fingerprint recognition and giving a number, which did not work.
The court heard he still had not provided the correct number.
Sentencing him, District Judge John Zani said: "I'm afraid, Mr Clarke, we live in difficult and potentially dangerous times and whatever frustration you felt has to be relaxed when you are asked to supply necessary information by the police officers merely doing their job."
He added that Clarke would not be in court if he had not behaved in an "obstinate and unhelpful fashion".
Clarke was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 50 hours unpaid work and banned from leaving the UK for the same period.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/pembrey-ex-soldier-sentenced-on-terrorism-charges/story-30031814-detail/story.html#CmvKuo3RHFpGLT7s.99
No comments:
Post a Comment