IS convert jailed after being radicalised in Walsall
A Muslim convert who was radicalised in Walsall has been jailed for five years.
Ismael Watson was caught trying to join Islamic State when his pregnant wife 'snitched' on him.
The 27-year-old had travelled to Turkey but was stopped and sent back to Britain as he tried to cross the border into Syria, the Old Bailey was told.
Watson, who was originally from Liverpool but had moved into a shared house in Walsall, had denied preparation of terrorist acts and opted to represent himself but refused to attend court.
He grew up in a non-Muslim family and was described by his mother as 'meek, mild and easily influenced'. The latter proved true after Watson converted to Islam.
He changed his first name to Ismael and was 'quickly radicalised' at a shared house in Walsall – before setting out to travel to Syria to help Islamic State.
Watson was only caught trying to join the terror group after his pregnant wife 'snitched' on him.
Watson, who has suffered from a bipolar disorder, had denied preparation of terrorist acts and opted to represent himself but refused to attend court.
A first trial was abandoned – but following a two-day retrial he was found guilty in his absence.
Now he faces five years in jail, with sentencing judge Anuja Dhir QC also ordering Watson to spend an extra 12 months on extended licence.
Watson and his wife moved into a shared house in Walsall after their marriage in 2015 but the relationship broke down by January last year as his views became increasingly extreme from watching IS videos, jurors heard.
Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC had told jurors how Watson made preparations to join IS between January last year and February 23.
He took a flight to Morocco then made his way to Turkey and allegedly sought help to cross the border into Syria via contacts on the internet, not realising he was speaking to two undercover security service agents.
In a conversation on March 30 last year, an officer asked him if he had been 'hot' before he left Britain, and Watson replied: "Yes I was hot. My wife snitched on me and left. While pregnant told them everything ..."
Asked what jobs he wanted to do in Syria, Watson suggested he could help with film-making, proof-reading and cooking.
In encrypted Telegram chats with another officer, he described how he slicked back his hair to look more Syrian but admitted 'can only change face so much'.
Watson was detained in Turkey and sent back to Britain in February.
Judge Anuja Dhir QC told him: "The evidence in this case proved that at the time of the offences you held deep and extensive radicalised beliefs.
"You wanted to fight for Islamic State and you demonstrated a willingness to kill for them."
