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British man convicted of plotting IS-inspired Remembrance Day attack

Nadir Syed, 22, found guilty of planning knife attack in London in days leading up to 8 November services
The jury took nearly 51 hours to convict Syed (CPS)

A British man inspired by Islamic State group propaganda has been found guilty of plotting a terrorist attack in London, it can now be reported.

Nadir Syed, 22, had planned to launch the attack close to Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, after listening to a speech by IS spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, which also urged militants to target France.

The Old Bailey heard Syed, who denied the charges, had planned a "Lee Rigby-style" attack, a reference to a soldier killed in the street in 2013 near his barracks in Woolwich, London. 

Syed, of Barking, was arrested days before Remembrance Sunday after buying a large knife in Ealing, moments after he been handed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order for a public order offence.

He was convicted on 9 December of preparation of terrorist acts. The jury spent almost 51 hours in deliberations. 

His conviction was released on Monday afternoon after jurors were unable to reach verdicts on Yousaf Syed, 20, and Haseeb Hamayoon, 29.

Yousaf Syed, of High Wycombe and Hamayoon of Hayes denied charges of planning acts of terrorism. 

The judge has ordered a retrial.

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