Two teenagers charged with ‘extraordinarily critical’ terrorism offences
Two teenagers have been charged with ‘extremely serious’ terrorism offences.
Rex William Henry Clark, 18, of Ilford, East London, was charged on Thursday with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006
Sofija Vinogradova, 19, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire was charged yesterday with preparation of terrorist acts and two counts of collection of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58.
Both will remain in custody before their appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 16.
A spokesman for the Met Police confirmed the investigation is not a ‘consequence of the disorder across the country which occurred following the terrible events in Southport’.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police insisted the arrests had nothing to do with the ‘terrible events in Southport’ (Stock Image)
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: ‘These are extremely serious charges, but I would urge the public not to speculate any further about this case at this time and allow the criminal justice process to run its course unimpeded.
‘While we are not able to comment in any detail about the investigation now that these charges have been brought, I want to reassure the public that at this time we do not believe that there is any wider threat related to this investigation, although our investigation very much continues.
‘I also want to make clear that our investigation into this matter is not as a consequence of the disorder across the country which occurred following the terrible events in Southport.’
The Met Police confirmed they arrested the woman at an address in Cheshunt on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm.
Detectives carried out a search at the address and the woman was taken to a London police station, before being released on bail, pending further enquiries.
On Saturday, August 10, the 19-year-old woman was arrested again at an address in Cheshunt. An 18-year-old man was also arrested at the same address.
They were both taken to a London police station. Further searches were carried out at the address in Cheshunt, as well as another address in Ilford.
Detectives subsequently obtained a warrant of further detention, lasting until Saturday, 17 August, for both the man and the woman.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
