British Terrorist’s Bid to Slash Sentence Rejected by Court of Appeal
Terror Plot to Shoot Preacher Foiled
Edward Little, 23, plotted to shoot Christian preacher Hatun Tash at Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner. Caught red-handed, Little was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 16 years in December 2023. His term was later increased to 24 years in January 2024 after further review.
He was nabbed in September 2022 while en route in a taxi with £5,000 cash to buy a gun in south London. Prosecutors revealed he also considered a mass shooting at the late Queen’s funeral in Westminster before settling on Hyde Park as his target.
Appeal Slapped Down
Little’s barrister, Tom Godfrey, claimed the sentence was too harsh. He argued that a shorter stretch would better suit the offence since Little hadn’t done reconnaissance and “multiple deaths were not risked.”
“A shorter jail term would be more appropriate to the offending,” said Godfrey.
But Lord Justice William Davis, Mr Justice Griffiths, and Judge Simon Drew KC disagreed, ruling the judge was right to believe the deadly use of a gun was “very likely.” They dismissed the appeal outright.
Extremist Mindset Revealed
Born in the UK, Little converted to Islam while serving time at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution, then later at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham. By 2022, he was downloading extremist propaganda, including al-Qaida’s Inspire magazine, and claimed online that the terror group had “assigned him as one of their top brothers.”
He branded Ms Tash an “evil witch” and also planned attacks on police officers and soldiers nearby.
Gun Suppliers Jailed, Terror Plot Thwarted
Three men were sentenced between 10 and 13 years at Inner London Crown Court for supplying Little with the firearm. However, it was accepted that they did not know the weapon’s intended use was for terrorism.
Little, with a violent past including convictions for grievous bodily harm, robbery, and drug dealing, was not present at the Appeal hearing.
With his appeal rejected, Edward Little remains behind bars, ensuring his deadly terror plot will never see the light of day.
