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27 Oct, 2016 12:54

Teenager ‘enamored with ISIS’ in court over ‘viable device’ found on London Underground

Teenager ‘enamored with ISIS’ in court over ‘viable device’ found on London Underground

A poker-fixated teenager, who was “enamored with ISIS” and charged in connection with a “viable device” found on the London Underground, has appeared in court.

Damon Smith, 19, of South East London, has been accused of unlawfully and maliciously making or possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious danger to property, the Metropolitan Police said.

He did not enter a plea in relation to the charge during his hearing at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Defence counsel Simon Eastwood, however, indicated that his client, who has a form of autism, would be pleading not guilty on the grounds it was a prank, according to Sky News.

The device was found last Thursday on a tube carriage on the Jubilee Line at North Greenwich station, near the O2 Arena. It had been left inside an abandoned black Adidas rucksack and was found by two members of the public.

The station was evacuated for several hours, and counter-terrorism police destroyed the item in a controlled explosion.

The prosecution told the court that experts carried out a forensic examination of the package and deemed it to be a “viable improvised explosive device” which would have caused injury had it detonated.

The bomb was a “pressure” type device and contained grey powder, ball bearings, and a clock-type detonator, the court was told.

Four properties have been searched in connection with the investigation.

On Saturday, another device was discovered at an address in Newton Abbot by police investigating the North Greenwich incident. The item was later declared not viable.

Smith had just moved to London from Newton Abbot, Devon, to study IT at the London Metropolitan University.

He has been described as a “mummy’s boy” and a “loner,” with an interest in martial arts and online poker.

Friends of Smith have also claimed he was “enamored” with Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), Sky reports.

“He had a Koran and knew several phrases and he wore a black headscarf. Damon had replica guns and air rifles and even posted a video of himself shooting a replica Glock on YouTube,” a former friend told the Sun.

Smith has been remanded back into custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on November 17.

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