Terrorist planned to launch AK-47 gun attack on Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

A TERRORIST considered launching a mass gun attack on Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, a court heard yesterday.

Edward Little, 22, discussed with jihadists on a messaging forum plans to get a Mac-10 sub-machine gun and AK-47 assault rifle to target last September’s event.

The Islamic convert was told “tyrants of the earth” would be there and said: “I was thinking that but unfortunately it’s too late.”

He chose to target Christian preacher Hatun Tash at Hyde Park’s Speakers’ Corner but was arrested en route to London in a taxi, with £5,000 on him to buy a firearm.

Opening the facts of the case against him, Duncan Penny KC said: “The defendant is an Islamic extremist who planned to murder the Christian preacher Hatun Tash at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park.

“The defendant planned to murder those who were with Hatun Tash, and any police officers or soldiers who were in the area.”

UK-born Little was said to have converted to Islam at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution in Kent and at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham, after he turned 18.

Little, of Brighton, admitted in May preparing acts of terrorism. Sentencing at the Old Bailey was adjourned for further reports.