JAILED: Birmingham man sentenced to life after trying to make a 'bomb' with fairy lights

Former doorman Zahid Hussain, aged 29, from Naseby Drive, Alum Rock, was told he will serve a minimum term of 15 years after being found guilty of preparing for acts of terrorism at an earlier trial. He was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court after his trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Hussain will initially be detained at a regional secure unit and will remain on licence for a further 30 years.

Officers searched Hussain’s home after he was arrested in August 2015, when he was stopped in Alum Rock and found to be in possession of a knife and crowbar and hand-written notes detailing instructions for devices.

At his flat, they discovered he had constructed a home-made pressure cooker device, filled with shrapnel and adapted Christmas tree lights in an attempt to construct an improvised explosive device.

Police also seized dismantled mobile phones and bottle of hydrogen peroxide, together with text books detailing guerrilla warfare techniques and small arms combat and further dismantled electrical items including alarm clocks and doorbell chimes. Hussain was re-arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related matters and charged with preparing for acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

The trial was earlier told Hussain had considered targeting railway lines after he was radicalised in his bedroom by viewing hundreds of IS images of the war in Syria.

Jurors heard how he wrongly believed his non-viable 'bomb' was capable of causing devastation. It also heard how Hussain attempted to create a remote-control "initiator" for a device by modifying a wireless doorbell.

Hussain, who was captured on CCTV clambering into a storm drain near a high-speed railway line, was arrested in August 2015 after being seen 'patrolling' the streets near his home.

Following an examination by medical staff, Hussain was sectioned and detained under the Mental Health Act and remains under the care of mental health professionals. Following a hearing in January 2016 he was declared fit to stand trial.

Chief Superintendent Matt Ward, head of counter terrorism for the West Midlands, said: "The searches of Hussain’s room established he was in possession of component parts and materials which if mixed with others could form a viable explosive device.

"There was no evidence of any intended target or specific attack. But by its very nature, this could have been an extremely dangerous device.

"The Christmas tree lights also found at his address, had been adapted and each one could be used as an explosive initiator or detonator.

"Examination of his computer discovered browsing history relating to terrorism including bomb-making, bomb blast injuries – showing he had a consistent and continued interest in terrorism and conflict.

"This was a significant and complex inquiry for West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit to safely deal with these volatile items and seek to establish Hussain’s motives for having them."