Brighton terrorist considered attack on Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Edward Little, 22, discussed plans to target Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and talked about getting hold of a submachine gun and assault rifle on a messaging platform.

Little, of Pelham Street, Brighton, later pleaded guilty to terrorism offences after targeting a Christian preacher at Speaker’s Corner in London.

At one point, he wrote: “I don’t think there has been an attack in the UK with guns so a semi-automatic rifle would send a even stronger message.”

He later added that “tyrants of the earth” would be at the Queen’s funeral the day before the event but decided it was “too late”.

Little was arrested en route to buy a gun for £5,000 having taken a taxi from Brighton to London.

He pleaded guilty to preparing acts of terrorism and appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday by video-link from HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire.

UK-born Little was said to have converted to Islam at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution in Kent and at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham, after he turned 18.

Last summer, he downloaded extremist propaganda including copies of the al-Qaida publication Inspire.

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On September 23 last year, Little agreed to pay a taxi driver £300 to take him from Brighton to Lewisham, south London, saying money was no problem.

On his arrest, he was carrying a rucksack with £5,000 in cash, a passport and two mobile phones.

Little declined to answer questions in police interviews but his mood changed when he was shown a YouTube view of the preacher.

He launched himself from his chair across the table at an officer, swinging repeatedly with his fists before being restrained.

The defendant had been convicted of 14 offences in seven separate cases, including for robbery, having a knife and drug dealing, dating back to 2017.

Mrs Justice McGowan adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed for a report to be prepared on Little’s future risk and for him to be given the opportunity to attend court in person.