Monday, September 23, 2013

Posing in a tuxedo with girls in niqabs and stockings: Bizarre image of white Muslim convert who planned to shoot Prince Harry

Belfast-born Ashraf Islam, was jailed after turning himself into police for plotting an attack to kill the prince earlier this year. 

The 31-year-old, formerly known as Mark Townley, is pictured in a dinner jacket with the two women in the undated photograph taken from his website.

Ashraf Islam is pictured on a beach with two women wearing niqabs and stockings. Islam handed himself over to police after plotting to murder Prince Harry
Ashraf Islam is pictured on a beach with two women wearing niqabs and stockings. Islam handed himself over to police after plotting to murder Prince Harry

Islam gave himself up to police the day after Drummer Lee Rigby was killed in Woolwich after planning to kill the prince in a plot he had named Operation Regal.

He told officers at Hounslow police station in west London that he had ‘advanced plans’ to shoot the prince at close range with a low-calibre pistol.

Islam described Drummer Rigby as a ‘soft target’ and said he did not agree with the attack.

He said he intended to kill Prince Harry because the third  in line to the throne, a veteran  of Afghanistan, ‘had blood on  his hands’.

Mark Townley converted to Islam in Belfast
Mugshot of Ashraf Islam
Before and after: Mark David Townley converted to Islam in Belfast and changed his name to Ashraf Islam

Ashraf grew up in a Christian household before falling into trouble with the law and converting to Islam following his last stint behind bars in 2011. 

His family are said to be 'devastated' by his actions, particularly his religious mother Angela who was is being cared for by family friends, The Mirror has reported. 

A court heard on Friday how Islam had spent time in Thailand researching the prince and his whereabouts before returning to the UK and handing himself in. 

Lynne Townley, prosecuting at Isleworth Crown Court, said: ‘On May 23, at Hounslow police station, Ashraf Islam made a threat to PC Boyne that he was going to kill another person, that was namely Prince Harry.’ 

Miss Townley said: ‘He said he’d been watching the Horse Guards Parade and planned to disarm an officer while disguised as a tourist, rather than bringing a gun into London.

    ‘He used his time in Thailand to get his fitness to a higher level. He planned to send a telephone warning to create a diversion.’

    A document found on Islam’s computer stated: ‘Aim for target. No civilians to be injured. Dress code is the biker look. Use low-calibre  pistol at close range. Not to be viewed as Islamist extremist.’

    She told the court that after landing at Heathrow, Islam checked into a Travelodge hotel and at 11am the  following morning went to Hounslow police station.

    He told PC Boyne, the duty officer, that he wanted to talk about a murder and asked to speak in private. 

    Miss Townley said: ‘He told the officer he had come to the station because he wanted to admit to a  serious incident which he would commit the next day. He claimed he was being monitored by UK security.

    The would-be killer said he decided to confess to his grisly plans after feeling ‘scared and nervous’ on the morning of May 23. 

    ‘He said he felt it was best to speak to the police directly.’

    At Uxbridge magistrates’ court on May 25, Islam pleaded guilty to one count of making a threat to kill.

    Islam, who separated from his wife and young child in Northern Ireland after making ‘several reckless financial decisions’, converted to the religion in Belfast.

    The Crown Court adjourned his sentencing until November 1 so a mental health assessment can be completed by a doctor.

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