Mohammad Bashir, 31, admitted a charge of preparation of terrorist acts when he appeared in the dock of the Old Bailey on Friday.

The charge states that on August 14 2025, with the intention of committing an act of terrorism or assisting Jihad Al‑Shamie to do so, he drove him to the UK Defence Academy to carry out hostile reconnaissance of the location.

The trip to the academy in Shrivenham, near Faringdon, came weeks before Al-Shamie launched his attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall last October 2.

Members of the Jewish community comfort each other (Peter Byrne/PA)

On that date, worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed after 35-year-old Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, drove his Kia Picanto into the gates of the synagogue and began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt.

He was shot dead by armed police as he carried out the attack.

Bashir was arrested at Manchester Airport on November 27 but was not charged in relation to the synagogue attack.

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The defendant had previously denied preparation of terrorist acts by assisting Al‑Shamie.

He had also pleaded not guilty to three counts of disseminating terrorist publications relating to Jihad and martyrdom on a WhatsApp chat group on dates in November and December 2024.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told the court these charges were part of the background to the more serious charge, which Bashir had admitted.

He said that in these circumstances, the court could pass a sentence on Bashir that “reflects the seriousness of the offending behaviour”.

He invited the court to order the outstanding charges to lie on file.

Defence Academy at Shrivenham (Image: Harland Quarrington (Crown copyright))

Mr Polnay said he had received a basis of plea from the defence which would be considered by the prosecution.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a two-day sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court on July 20 and 21.

She ordered a pre-sentence report, telling bearded Bashir, of Shaftsbury Road, Manchester, he had pleaded guilty to a “very serious charge”.

Bashir entered his guilty plea on Friday, a month before his scheduled trial from July 6 in Manchester.

He was further remanded into custody.

Worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a Syrian-born British citizen, drove into the gates of the Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, in October last year, and then began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt.

Three other men were treated in hospital for serious injuries and Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by armed police as he carried out his attack.

It was the first fatal antisemitic terror attack in the UK since the Community Security Trust, a British charity which provides security and advice to the Jewish community in the UK, began recording incidents in 1984.

Despite numerous myths, including the widely believed “10% plus 2mph” rule, experts have clarified that there is no legal margin for exceeding speed limits.

Drivers can be fined for travelling just 1mph over the posted limit.

Experts from BigWantsYourCar.com said: “The idea that you’re safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear.

“Technically, you’re liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.”

Speeding can result in a £100 fine and points on your licence, with more severe offences leading to higher penalties or court action.

While the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) does recommend a “10% plus 2” allowance for officer discretion, this is not part of UK law and can vary between enforcement areas.

Guidance from the RAC states: “The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you’re doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you’re breaking the law and could receive a fine.

“It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not.

“The best advice is to not speed full stop.”

How do speed cameras work?

Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle’s speed and capture evidence of any offence.

While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles.

These digital systems record:

• Vehicle speed
• Time and location of the offence
• Vehicle registration
• Road speed limit

In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger.

Common speed camera myths

Here are some other common speed camera myths :

Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times?

No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don’t often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right.

Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: “Legally, we don’t have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to – but it’s all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away.”

Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van?

If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to “wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty”.

However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: “It doesn’t bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van – I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent.”

What happens if I am caught speeding?

It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK’s roads is a £100 fine.

But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course – an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: “An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer.

“Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the ‘notices’ and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit.”

So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don’t have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.

Waitrose has recalled its Waitrose & Partners 4 Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns as they may be unsafe to eat for some customers.

The buns contain barley, which is not declared on the label, making them a health risk for anyone with an allergy.

The affected products have a best before date of June 6.

Thursday 4th June – Waitrose & Partners recalls Waitrose & Partners 4 Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns because of undeclared barley #FoodAllergy https://t.co/Cgs0q54WNP pic.twitter.com/kRM0koiQHb

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) June 4, 2026

An FSA spokesman said: “Waitrose & Partners are recalling the above product from customers and has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. 

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. 

“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to barley do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. No receipt required.

“For more information, please contact: Waitrose Customer Care 0800 188 884, option 4.”

A Waitrose spokesman added: “We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.