A man from Harrow is among three men who were found with Islamic terrorism-related material.

Mohamed Ismail, a 24-year-old Dutch national from Harrow, has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after an investigation found him involved in a terrorism-related online chat.

Between August and December 2019, Ismail and two other men spoke to each other on internet chat groups and sent messages which showed their Islamic extremist mindsets.

The messages included the men expressing their support of the aims of Daesh, and of violent jihads against “non-believers”.

They posted extremist material - Daesh propaganda material, including execution videos and publications showing different ways to commit terror attacks.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the three men had never met each other in person.

After an investigation of several months, they were arrested on December 30, 2019.

When their mobile phones were analysed, officers found violent extremist material.

Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “These three young men created chat groups so they could talk about their hatred for others, and their desire to see violent atrocities committed in the UK and the West.

“Tahir and Ismail shared illegal terrorism-related documents and material online, and they were all arrested after proactive policework by officers and staff across the Counter Terrorism Policing network.

“Police and the security services work around the clock to protect the public against people who hold extremist beliefs and wish harm on innocent people.

“Cases like this demonstrate the importance of taking steps to prevent people becoming radicalised. I urge anyone who is concerned that someone they know is potentially at risk of radicalisation to call the Prevent helpline, to access specialist assistance help them take a different path.”

Ismail pleaded guilty on October 16, 2020, to two counts of disseminating terrorist publication, and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment yesterday (May 20).

Mohammed Tahir, aged 20 from Peterborough, and Muhammed Saeed, aged 20 from Manchester also both pleaded guilty to possessing terrorist material.

Both men have been sentenced for five years’ imprisonment.

Detective Superintendent Andy Waldie, head of Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU)’s Counter Terrorism Policing unit, said: “Our teams work tirelessly to ensure those with warped, extremist views are stopped and put before the courts.

“It’s clear that these men presented a real threat to our communities and I’m grateful for the extensive work of our talented teams at ERSOU and colleagues across the counter terrorism policing network for their role in ensuring this group were not able to cause any further harm.”