A Brighton terrorist who planned to kill a Christian preacher has had his sentence increased by eight years today.
Edward Little, 22, had targeted preacher Hatun Tash who regularly appeared at Speaker’s Corner, London, but could have killed anyone who got in his way, police said.
Little, who previously converted to Islam in prison, settled on the plan after deciding against a mass gun attack on the late Queen’s funeral in Westminster.
He was arrested while on his way to buy a weapon for an attack at Speakers’ Corner with potential targets also including Metropolitan Police officers and soldiers.
Little, of Pelham Street, Brighton, pleaded guilty to preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, at a previous hearing on 19 May last year – and was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years on December 15.
Now, less than a month later, Little’s sentence has been increased to life with a minimum of 24 years in prison after a slip rule hearing held today (January 4).
A slip rule hearing allows the court to correct accidental slips or omissions in judgments and orders at any time.
Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “There can be little doubt as to what Edward Little’s intentions were on that day.
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“He had conducted research on the location and his target and made arrangements to buy a gun. It was clear he intended to commit murder.
“Had it not been for his arrest, he would have been able to secure that firearm and carry out the attack, which would have likely caused multiple deaths.
“The sentence today reflects the seriousness of this offending, and the CPS remains firmly committed to prosecuting all forms of terrorism in England and Wales.”
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