Leeds St James's Hospital: Man in court on terror charges

A pupil caregiver accused of taking a homemade weaponry to the Leeds infirmary helium worked astatine has appeared successful court.

Mohammad Farooq was said to person the instrumentality extracurricular the maternity ward of St James's Hospital connected 20 January.

Mr Farooq, 27, who was besides said to person undertaken reconnaissance extracurricular an RAF base, appeared astatine Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of preparing a violent act.

He did not participate a plea and is owed to look astatine the Old Bailey connected 3 February.

Prosecutors allege Mr Farooq, of Hetton Road, Roundhay, Leeds, was recovered with a unit cooker weaponry extracurricular the ward.

They besides reason that, inspired by extremist Islam, helium carried retired "hostile reconnaissance" of an RAF basal successful January.

Mr Farooq was arrested extracurricular the maternity ward connected 20 January.

It is alleged helium had constructed a viable bomb, containing 13.7kg of a homemade low-explosive substance and a magnitude of pyrotechnic fuse.

Prosecutors added helium besides had an imitation firearm connected him, a Gediz 9mm P.A.K semi-automatic pistol, astatine the clip of his arrest.

They said helium had been owed to enactment a displacement and had a grudge against a subordinate of staff.

The incidental prompted portion of the infirmary to beryllium evacuated.

The suspect appeared via videolink, speaking lone to corroborate his name, day of commencement and address.

He did not participate pleas to charges of engaging successful behaviour successful mentation of an enactment of terrorism, possessing an imitation firearm and possession of an explosive substance with intent to endanger beingness oregon origin superior wounded to property.