Batley man admits trying to travel to Syria to join IS

A man who tried to travel to Syria to join so-called Islamic State has admitted terror offences.

Ghulam Hussain, 30, from Batley in West Yorkshire, was arrested in November by anti-terror police.

They discovered he had obtained credit cards fraudulently and made travel arrangements, including buying airline tickets, Leeds Crown Court heard.

He also gave an undercover officer cash and advice, with the aim of trying to help another to commit a terror act.

Hussain was arrested as part of an "intelligence-led investigation" by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit (NECTU).

He obtained the credit cards by providing false details, and told the undercover officer "his intention was to join Daesh to fight in Syria and the money from the credit cards would fund this activity", NECTU said.

He had bought a plane ticket that would have taken him via Pakistan to Turkey, which has a border with Syria.

Hussain, of Track Road, pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for committing an act of terrorism and engaging in conduct with the intention of assisting another person to commit an act of terrorism. He will be sentenced on 12 May.

Det Ch Sup Clive Wain said: "This case highlights the way extremists reach out to each other and, over a relatively short period of time, can encourage others to commit offences; on this occasion to encourage a British citizen to travel to Syria to fight, train and live."