Suspect 'planned to harm soldier'

The man was allegedly found with a soldier's name and address

A terror suspect planned to hunt down and kill or injure a British soldier honoured for a charge against Iraqi insurgents, a court has heard.

Abu Baker Mansha, 21, faces a charge under the Terrorism Act for having the soldier's name and address.

Corporal Mark Byles had been given the military cross for leading an attack on a trench which killed five insurgents and left eight captured.

Mr Mansha, from Thamesmead in south London, denies the charge.

A police raid on his flat found a blank-firing gun, which someone was trying to convert to fire live rounds, and DVDs containing "virulent anti-Western propaganda" including footage of Osama Bin Laden and Ken Bigley's beheading, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Lying in a bag was a copy of the Sun newspaper carrying an article about Corporal Byles' actions.

Suspect's fingerprints

A paragraph had been circled. It read: "Corporal Byles of Portsmouth, Hants, reckons he killed between 15 and 20 insurgents during the war."

Mr Mansha's fingerprints were on the newspaper, the court heard.

Most importantly, the raid also turned up a piece of paper carrying an old address for the soldier in Portsmouth, obtained from the electoral roll, it is alleged.

Prosecutor David Cocks QC said: "We say that looked at in the context of what else was in the flat he [Mansha] had the piece of paper with Corporal Byles' information on in his possession, either to kill him or to do him really serious injury to exact revenge."

The court also heard Mr Mansha had apparently requested information about a wealthy Jewish man and a Hindu businessman.

Being interviewed by police, Mr Mansha refused to answer questions and instead gave prepared statements denying terrorist links, strong political views, and even being a strict Muslim.

Ambush account

The suspect said he had obtained the pistol from a market stall as a souvenir.

Mr Cocks said it was not clear whether it was Mr Mansha or another individual who had obtained Corporal Byles' address.

Corporal Byles told the court about how his Warrior armoured vehicle was caught up in an ambush near al-Amarah.

He was told there were gunmen dug in 200 yards ahead of them.

"I had two choices - stay there and be cut to pieces... or put down concentrated fire and attack the positions which is what I did."

The trial was adjourned until Thursday.