London Barber jailed for sending covid funds to terror group

A London barber who sent thousands of pounds of Covid loans to so-called Islamic State in Syria has been jailed for 12 years.

Tarek Namouz, who owns a shop in Hammersmith in London, transferred the funds to help organise terror attacks.

He was convicted despite denying the charges, telling police he sent the money to "help the poor and needy.”

Following sentencing the 43 year old thanked the judge, but shouted "May Allah destroy you" at police officers at Kingston Crown Court.

He was arrested on May 25 2021 and recalled to prison to serve the rest of a 10-year sentence for raping an 18-year-old woman in The Prince pub, in Wood Green, where he was the landlord in 2014. He had been released in September 2019 on licence.

Judge Peter Lodder KC jailed Namouz for 12 years, with a further year on extended licence, saying he had demonstrated a "commitment to terrorism" and planned to "re-establish a state run in accordance with extreme Islamic principles".

"In 2020 and 2021 you ran a barber's shop in Hammersmith," he said. "You were entitled to Covid bounce back loans which were paid to you by the local council.

"You sent that money, and other money, through a west London transfer and currency exchange, to terrorists in Syria."

Namouz interrupted the judge from the dock, claiming "I never sent that money" but said: "Thank you, your honour" after he was sentenced.

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