Chef's terrorism charges dropped

A 36-year-old chef accused of terrorism has walked free from court after the case was dropped.

Noureddine Mouleff, of Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, was charged with having "terror related" articles - a rucksack containing batteries and wire.

Forensic experts said the items could not make "a device" and the case was dropped at the Old Bailey.

But Mouleff admitted using someone else's passport to get a job and was conditionally discharged for a year.

Charge 'misconceived'

Crispin Aylett, prosecuting, told the court on Friday it had been decided not to proceed with the charge because of the forensic experts' opinion.

Mouleff had denied the charge and had been remanded in custody at Belmarsh Prison.

He did plead guilty to gaining a pecuniary advantage by using the passport to get a job as a chef at the United Arab Emirates College in Bexhill, East Sussex.

Eamon Sherry, defending, said Mouleff was being treated for mental illness and that the terror charge had been "misconceived".

Mouleff was arrested after a series of anti-terrorism raids.

He was further charged with conspiracy to defraud along with four Algerians also detained under the Terrorism Act, but this charge was also dropped.

At the court Mohammed Khatimi, 28, of Lothian Court, Midhurst Road, Eastbourne; Mostapha Safi, 28, of High Road, Leytonstone, London; Mohammed Rida, 28, of Woodland Vale Road, St Leonards, East Sussex; and Djamel Haddad, 25, of Warrior Gardens, St Leonards admitted conspiracy to defraud Barclays Bank of £22,000.

Safi and Khatimi also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud Abbey National bank of £15,000 with Safi also admitting three charges of gaining jobs with false identities.

The court was told the scam involved stockpiling cheque books under false names then spending money and returning goods for cash refunds.

Safi and Khatimi were jailed for 12 months, Haddad for six months and Rida was given a 12 month conditional discharge.