Woman Jailed for 30 Months Over Fake Terror Letters
A woman from Reading has been locked up for 30 months after sending fake terror threats to police and government offices, wasting precious police time and resources.
Bitter Vendetta Sparks Terror Hoax
Bushra Ali, 38, of Alexandra Road, pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court on 29 September. Between 9 and 19 December 2019, she sent multiple handwritten letters and images falsely accusing an individual of planning a Christmas terror attack.
Ali’s aim was clear: stir up a police investigation to target her victim and possibly get them arrested. The threats came just days after the real-life Fishmongers Hall terror attack in London, making the timing painfully cynical.
Police Waste Time on Malicious Claims
Counter Terrorism Policing South East launched a full investigation, which swiftly uncovered Ali as the culprit behind the hoax. Detective Sergeant Andy Beeney slammed her actions:
“Ali used a personal vendetta to pervert the course of justice. She sent the first letter just ten days after the tragic terrorist attack at Fishmongers Hall. She even accused the victim of being a close associate of the terrorist.”
“She wasted significant police time and resources. It is only right she faced justice for this blatant disrespect towards the police and its partners.”
“We take all reports seriously, but maliciously wasting police time will not be tolerated.”
Police Warning and Advice
If you have genuine concerns about someone’s radicalisation, police urge you to call 101 and report it responsibly. But those who fake terror threats will face the full force of the law.
