Muslim convert 'plotted to mow down shoppers on Oxford Street'

Lewis Ludlow, 26, allegedly drew up a list of targets including Oxford Street and tourist hotspot Madame Tussauds
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A Muslim convert accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired van attack in Oxford Street plotted to target shoppers outside the Disney Store, a court heard today.

Lewis Ludlow, 26, allegedly drew up a list of targets including the busy shopping street and tourist hotspot Madame Tussauds for his terrorist strike, aiming to kill more than 100 people.

He is said to have hatched the plot in March and April this year, after he was thwarted from joining ISIS extremists in the Philippines.

Ludlow, from Rochester in Kent, appeared at the Old Bailey this morning via videolink from HMP Belmarsh for a preliminary hearing, as Mr Justice Haddon-Cave set a trial down for October 22 this year.

Prosecutor Mark Dawson told the court one of the charges Ludlow faces is “a plot to cause mass casualties using a vehicle in Oxford Street, targeting among other places the Disney Store or pedestrians in and around Oxford Street at its busiest times.”

He added that Ludlow is accused of wanting to “cause upwards of 100 fatalities”.

Ludlow had initially planned to fly to the Philippines in February this year to join ISIS, after communicating with a fellow extremist online, it is said.

After being stopped from flying, he is accused of setting up a Facebook page called “antique collections” to raise funds for the extremist group in the Philippines.

Ludlow, sporting a patchy ginger beard and wearing a green skull cap, spoke only to confirm his identity in today’s hearing.

He was remanded in custody until his trial which is due to be heard at the Old Bailey.

He has yet to enters pleas to two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism and one count of arranging funds or property for the purposes of terrorism.

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