Eastleigh teen, 15, to stand trial over Islamic terror plot

The 15-year-old from Eastleigh, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to preparing acts of terrorism.

The child is accused of trying to make bombs containing shrapnel in an Islamic terror plot.

The teenager, who converted to Islam this year, is alleged to have developed an extremist jihadist mind-set.

He was arrested by Hampshire police on June 12 and charged with preparation of terrorist acts contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 in connection with Islamist terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said at the time of his detention.

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The boy appeared via video-link from a youth detention centre in the Midlands during a 40-minute hearing at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

He entered a not guilty plea to a charge of preparing acts of terrorism.

Remanding the youngster into custody, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb listed a trial back at the crown court in Leicester on September 28.

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