Leeds man jailed for four years after sharing terrorist material
The 22 year old was also convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery
A man from Leeds has been sentenced to four years in prison for sharing terrorist material and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Cameron Gloria De Almeida, 22 and of Garnet Place in Beeston, appeared at Leeds Crown Court earlier - where he was also handed a year on extended licence.
De Almeida, who entered guilty pleas in July to five offences of disseminating terrorist publications and one charge of conspiracy to commit robbery, claimed he acted recklessly rather than with intent.
His arrest in March was part of an operation conducted by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, supported by West Yorkshire Police.
Digital investigators found terrorist publications and lectures promoting violent Jihad in a cloud-based storage account linked to De Almeida’s recovered iPhone.
Evidence of plans to commit armed robbery was also found on his phone, with officers seizing two balaclavas and a knife from his address.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said:
“Sharing terrorist publications is a serious offence and the impact of doing so is not restricted to the online space."
"All too often we see the real-world implications of individuals who have been influenced by such material or even motivated to take part in terrorist acts or activity.
“The court recognised the significance of De Almeida’s conduct, ruling it was anything but reckless. He knew the potential implications of his actions but foolishly believed he could hide behind a cloud-based storage account known for its robust privacy measures.
"The custodial sentence he has received today proves otherwise.
“I’d urge the public to support us in removing harmful online content. If you come across material which promotes terrorism, extreme views, or hatred, please report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT.”