West Yorkshire Police officer sentenced after sharing terror images
Mohammed Adil, from Bradford, shared images in support of the banned-group Hamas on WhatsApp
Last updated 4th Jun 2024
A police officer from Bradford has been sentenced after sharing images on WhatsApp in support of the banned group Hamas.
26-year-old Mohammed Adil was a serving officer with the West Yorkshire force when he shared the images, in the weeks following the October 7th attacks on Israel.
Adil was reported by two colleagues before the police watchdog opened an investigation into the case, which was eventually handed over to prosecutors.
He leaded guilty to two terrorism offences and has been sentenced to an 18 month community order and 160 hours of unpaid work.
Natalie Turner, mitigating, said prior internet searches conducted by Adil reflected his "personal interest" in the conflict and not support for Hamas, though he accepted this was the impression given by the images.
"He accepts that he had looked at, for example, Wikipedia pages of these people prior to this date," she continued.
"He doesn't seek to deny that in any way, but it was more in trying to understand the ongoing news reports that he was reading."
Ms Turner added Adil has a Master's degree, and a custodial sentence - even if suspended - could put at risk his plans to pursue a PhD.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sentenced Adil to an 18-month community order, including up to 35 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 160 hours of unpaid work along with the forfeiture of his mobile phone.
Mr Goldspring said there was "no need for this court to impose a custodial sentence, suspended or otherwise" as this would be "unnecessarily disproportionate".
Adil was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge within 28 days.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “Mohammed Adil understood that in sharing the images he did, it would arouse suspicion that he was showing support for a terrorist organisation.
“The CPS will not hesitate to work with the IOPC and Police to prosecute these offences, regardless of the perpetrators position.”
Detective Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “We understand that it will cause some concern within our communities that a police officer has admitted showing support for a terrorist organisation.
"It is unfortunate that the actions of one officer have the potential to cause significant damage to public trust.
“PC Adil has been suspended from duty since the day of his arrest. Following the conclusion of this court case, we will now commence with misconduct proceedings.
“We make it clear to all employees that it is not compatible for anyone working in policing to be a member of, or show support for, a proscribed organisation."