Terror accused divulged bomb with patient - court

Mohammad Farooq, 28, denies preparing acts of terrorism

A man accused of attempting to attack a hospital where he worked told a patient he was carrying a bomb and was seeking revenge, a court heard.

Mohammad Farooq, 28, is accused of targeting St James's Hospital in Leeds on 20 January 2023.

Mr Farooq denies preparing acts of terrorism, but has pleaded guilty to firearms offences and possessing an explosive substance with intent.

He has also pleaded guilty to having a document likely to be useful to a person preparing or committing an act of terrorism.

On Friday, jurors at Sheffield Crown Court began hearing video evidence from patient Nathan Newby, who noticed Mr Farooq appearing "upset and distressed" and "looking down at a bag" at the hospital's Gledhow Wing entrance.

Mr Newby told police he had approached Mr Farooq "to see if he was alright".

"He just said he was feeling down and wanted to get them back," said the witness.

Mr Newby said Mr Farooq seemed "agitated" and had told him he had been "stabbed in the back" in relation to a work-related course.

Earlier, the court heard the accused had been a trainee nursing associate at the hospital but did not complete a qualification to become a nurse.

Mr Farooq previously worked at St James's Hospital in Leeds

When the patient asked Mr Farooq what was inside his bag, Mr Newby told police he replied it was "just a bomb".

The defendant "seemed so relaxed, as though it was just normal", he added.

Mr Newby told police Mr Farooq's plan had been to "go to the canteen" then "set it off and walk out".

The patient said their conversation lasted "a good few hours" and Mr Farooq had told him he had a wife and two children.

"I was just trying to take everything in and keep him calm," he said.

Mr Newby told investigators Mr Farooq later asked him to call 999 as he had "changed my mind".

Defence barrister Gul Hussain KC told the court there was no evidence an Islamic State-referencing social media account Mr Farooq had messaged was linked to the Islamic State group.

There was also no evidence his client had pledged allegiance to any terrorist organisation, he added.

The trial continues.

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