'Shocking' Anzac Day plot uncovered after police decoded teenager's messages
ITV News UK Editor Rohit Katchroo reports.
A 15-year-old British boy has been sentenced to life for his involvement in a terror plot targeting an Anzac Day parade in Australia.
The teenager from Blackburn, Lancashire, who a judge has ruled cannot be identified, will serve at least five years after pleading guilty to inciting terrorism.
The boy, was 14 at the time of his arrest in April, making him Britain's youngest terrorist.
Mr Justice Saunders said he had faced a "difficult sentencing exercise" and whilst he acknowledged the positive progress made by the defendant, he had "no doubt a significant risk remains".
The teenager had exchanged more than 3000 messages with an alleged Australian jihadist in a plot to behead police officers in Melbourne, the court heard.
The plot
The youngster is said to have taken on the role of "organiser and adviser" to 18-year-old Sevdet Besim as the pair planned the attack and discussed targets, weapons and method of killing among other things.
In one exchange, Besim messaged: "So far the plan is to run a cop over on the anzac parade & then continue to kill a cop then take ghanimah and run to shahadah?"
The Lancashire teenager then responded: "Ill give orders soon but its looking along that line."
The plot was said to be in its "late stages" when authorities in Britain and Australia intervened after police became aware of the 14-year-old's involvement, when he arrested in March on suspicion of threats to kill his teachers.
He was re-arrested on April 2 when "disturbing material" was found on electronic devices seized from his bedroom.
The Muslim youth denied he had any intention of engaging in terrorism and had not contacted the Australian, known then only as Ilyas.
An officer from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit (NWCRU) eventually decoded their encrypted messages and shared the information with police in Melbourne.
Det Ch Supt Tony Mole, said: "If officers from the hi-tech unit of the NWCTU had not been able to develop a bespoke program to read the boy's messages, it is likely someone would have been seriously injured or killed."
Besim was detained on April 18 and found to be in possession of a knife which he had previously shown the British teenager in a photograph, who at the time said: "Handle is perfect for tearing through throat."
Mr Besim is currently awaiting trial in Australia.
In a statement issued on behalf of the British teenager's family, solicitor Daniel King said they had been "shocked and devastated" by his arrest.
Chief Constable Tim Jacques from Lancashire Police said at the time of his arrest the boy was subject to local safeguarding arrangements due to his extremist behaviour.
"Concerns were shared with us by partners and this led ultimately to the disruption of this evil plan".
Sue Hemming, head of the Crown Prosecution Services' special crime and counter terrorism division said the plan was "shocking in its brutality and scope."