Birmingham: Muslim convert planned attack on mosque, trial hears

Taking the jury through social media posts and other messages alleged to have been written by Mr Savage, Mr Ratliff said: “One of those he was in contact with was, although he didn’t know it, an undercover officer.

“A key feature of the defendant’s words and writings was his real disapproval of ‘disbelievers’ – but particularly those he considered were false followers of Islam.”

By February 2024, the court heard, Mr Savage was referring to watching knife-fighting techniques on YouTube, and posted a video of Osama Bin Laden.

Mr Ratliff said the defendant referred to how a mosque, outside of which he is accused of filming, needed “flattening” and spoke about how his alleged targets were to be “hunted down”.

On 11 March, Mr Savage is said to have gone to the mosque and bookstore and recorded mobile phone videos, speaking of “the best way to get away from” the area and the direction that “police will probably come from”.

The jury heard the defendant made internet searches about homemade firearms and ammunition, including pipe guns, nail guns, firing pin mechanisms and shell casings.

The charge against Mr Savage alleges his conduct included research into the manufacture of components of firearms and the “lethal use of knives”.

Alleged preparation is also said to have included “reconnaissance of a potential attack location” at the mosque and “research of potential targets, including members of the military and West Midlands police force”.

The trial continues.