British jihadist Imran Khawaja jailed for 12 years
A British jihadist who travelled to Syria then faked his own death to try to return to the UK undetected has been given a 12-year custodial sentence.
Imran Khawaja, 27, from west London, joined a militant group with links to so-called Islamic State while overseas.
He was pictured posing with severed heads during his six months in Syria.
He was arrested in Dover last June and later admitted preparing for acts of terrorism, attending a camp, receiving training and possessing firearms.
Commander Richard Walton: Khawaja "was a very serious threat to this country"
Judge Mr Justice Baker said Khawaja posed "a significant risk of serious harm" to the public. He will serve a minimum of eight years and also serve five years on licence.
At Woolwich Crown Court, Khawaja's counsel Henry Blaxland QC told the court his client had a very low IQ and had been "indoctrinated" in the months before he fled for Syria, in January 2014.
But Mr Justice Baker described Khawaja, who joined the Rayat al-Tawheed (RAT) insurgent group, as a "willing and enthusiastic" participant in recruitment films.
And he dismissed Khawaja's claim that he came home to see his family and regretted his actions.
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BBC News - British jihadist Imran Khawaja jailed for 12 years