A Londoner who attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS was on Tuesday, 23 May, sentenced to six years’ imprisonment and ordered to serve a further four years on license when he is released.

Patrick Kabele, 33 (26.02.84) of north-west London was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts – namely attempting to travel to Syria – at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, 28 February.

Kabele was stopped under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act at Gatwick Airport on 20 August 2016, as he attempted to board a flight to Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul.

When he was searched he was in possession of £3,000 along with numerous media devices. He refused to answer questions about his travel plans and was reminded of his duty to answer questions under schedule 7. When he continued to answer no comment he was arrested under paragraph 18 of schedule 7 of TACT for wilfully failing to comply.

On 23 August 2016, officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were contacted and took ownership of the investigation.

Inspection of Kabele’s media devices revealed his plans; on 24 August 2016 officers attended his home and arrested him on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.

On 25 August 2016 he was charged with preparation of terrorist acts, the acts being: applying for a Turkish visa; purchasing his flight ticket; attending the airport and having in his possession £3,000 in cash. All of these preparations were done so that Kabele could travel out to fight alongside ISIS.

Commander Dean Haydon, of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Kabele’s intention to join ISIS is made very clear in his own notes. Due to the good work of officers at the airport, who spotted Kabele and questioned him, as well as the investigation team who pieced the case together, we have prevented someone from travelling to fight for a terrorist group.”

MetPoliceNewsDesk