A 24-year-old man has been found guilty of terrorism offences after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard that he created a Telegram messaging group where extensive Islamic State (IS) material was distributed. Abdullah Yousef, from Galapagos Grove in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, was convicted of multiple counts, including membership of a proscribed organisation and disseminating terrorist publications.
The court was told Yousef had an apparent interest in explosives and maintained a Telegram group from May 2024 in which over 7,000 photographs, 21,000 videos, and 270 links related to IS were shared. This included instructional videos on bomb-making and publications encouraging the use of knives and vehicles in attacks, referencing the 2016 Nice truck attack that resulted in 86 deaths.
Messages sent by Yousef demonstrated support for IS, including statements such as “You know I support IS, Daesh, Islamic State” and “By the way, I am a terrorist.” He also shared videos glorifying IS fighters and specific terror attacks, including the World Trade Centre attacks.
READ MORE: McDonald’s responds to concerns over new Stirchley restaurant plans
READ MORE: £150 Warm Home Discount to Return for Benefit Recipients from October
A 15-page document found on Yousef’s phone provided detailed information on constructing explosive vests, explicitly describing how to incorporate shrapnel such as ball bearings or nails to maximise harm. An explosives expert confirmed the document contained credible information potentially useful for creating improvised explosive devices. Though this guide did not include instructions on making explosives themselves, it indicated further guidance would follow.
During the trial, Yousef claimed that his messages expressing terrorist support were jokes and did not explain his possession of the explosive vest manual, describing it as a random document he encountered online. When questioned on his supposed curiosity about explosive vests, he insisted that curiosity did not imply malicious intent. He denied interest in making or sharing explosives to assist others.
Abdullah Yousef was arrested in December 2025 following a counter-terrorism investigation but mostly declined to comment during interviews with police. The case awaits sentencing, pending the completion of a pre-sentence report.
Detective Chief Superintendent Oliver Wright of Counter Terrorism Policing South East stated that Yousef promoted violence on behalf of a proscribed terrorist group and shared dangerous material capable of encouraging vulnerable individuals to adopt extremist views and commit acts of terrorism.