William Howitt: Man appears in court to deny book shop terror plot

Image source, PA

Image caption, William Howitt, 26, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court to deny the terrorism charge
  • Author, Dan Martin & PA news agency
  • Role, 大象传媒 News

A former British soldier has denied planning to burn down a Nottingham bookshop in a far-right terror plot.

William Howitt, 26, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to a charge of preparation of terrorist acts.

It is alleged he "wrote a plan for conducting an arson attack and equipped himself with a glass hammer and tarpaulin with a view to carrying out an arson attack".

Mr Howitt will stand trial in October.

The court heard the alleged target of the attack was a left-wing bookshop in the city.

Mr Howitt, of West Bridgford, Nottingham, spoke only to enter his not guilty plea before he was remanded in custody.

A previous hearing at the Old Bailey in London heard the alleged plot was uncovered when the defendant was stopped by counter-terrorism police in the East Midlands on 5 January.

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