Arabic word for Infidel inscribed on to machete

Naweed Ali, Khobaib Hussain, Mohibur Rahman and Tahir Aziz are on trial at the Old Bailey accused of preparing terrorist acts last year. Credit: Priscilla Coleman

A court has heard how three alleged terrorists who called themselves the Three Musketeers stashed a pipe bomb and machete inscribed with 'kafir' on the blade as they secretly plotted an attack.

Naweed Ali, 29, and Khobaib Hussain, 25, both of Sparkhill in Birmingham, along with Mohibur Rahman, 32, and Tahir Aziz, 38, of Stoke-on-Trent, are on trial at the Old Bailey accused of preparing terrorist acts between May 25 and August 27 last year.

Part of the case will be heard in secret to avoid "sensitive" evidence fromtwo anonymous witnesses being made public, jurors have been told.Prosecutor Gareth Patterson QC told the court that evidence found on thedefendants' phones revealed their violent ideology.

Three of them shared "significant" encrypted messages using a Telegram social media messaging group called the Three Musketeers, he said.Officers arrested the group after uncovering a stash of weapons inNaweed Ali's car last summer.

On August 26, Ali's Seat Leon was searched and a multi-coloured JD Sports bag was recovered, containing a meat cleaver or machete.Mr Patterson said:

The lawyer also showed jurors a picture of a length of metal piping withbrass-coloured caps which he said was a "partially-constructed pipe bomb."He said:

Naweed Ali, 29, and Khobaib Hussain, 25, both of Sparkhill in Birmingham, along with Mohibur Rahman, 32, and Tahir Aziz, 38, of Stoke-on-Trent, are on trial at the Old Bailey accused of preparing terrorist acts Credit: ITV News.

Also found were shotgun cartridges, an imitation handgun with an empty magazine strapped to it and one unfired bullet which could have been used in a semi-automatic pistol, gaffer tape and rubber gloves, jurors were told.

Mr Patterson said care was clearly being taken to avoid leaving anyfingerprints on the items in the car.Ali's co-accused Aziz's Ford Fiesta was searched on the same day and phones were recovered as well as a "large bladed weapon" stashed by the driver's seat, he said.

The court heard how Rahman had bought mobile phones on eBay for Ali and Hussain to share "covert discussions".Mr Patterson said:

Last week, trial judge Mr Justice Globe told jurors some secret evidence would be strictly "for your ears only" Credit: SWNS.

Telegram messages between Ali, Hussain and Rahman were "highly significant" the prosecutor said.He added:

Credit: ITV News.

Last week, trial judge Mr Justice Globe told jurors some secret evidence would be strictly "for your ears only" as he explained the need for an exception to the principle of open justice in the case.

He told jurors: "I have indicated the evidence is sensitive, I have to direct you it is for your ears only."The defendants deny the charges against them.