Bristol terror suspect had Keira Knightley foot fetish
Andrew Ibrahim admitted filming the feet of fellow students at City of Bristol College on his mobile phone and searching the internet for pictures of film star Keira Knightley's feet.
The 20-year-old from Westbury-on-Trym, who changed his name to Isa when he converted to Islam, said it was the political side of Islam which interested him – but insisted he did not condone terrorism on civilians.
Ibrahim, who is accused of plotting to detonate a suicide bomb in Broadmead, said he only browsed the internet for extremist preachers and terror attacks because he saw himself as a loser and it made him feel bigger.
Giving evidence in his own defence for a second day at Winchester Crown Court yesterday, Ibrahim also said he had planned to write a letter to one of the 21/7 bombers because "it would be cool to have a letter from someone who's famous".
The court has heard police found an explosive device in a biscuit tin in the 20-year-old's fridge and a "suicide vest" hanging from the bedroom door at his one-bedroom flat in Comb Paddock on April 17 last year.
Ibrahim accepts making an explosive substance, but denies doing so with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.
He also denies the preparation of terrorist acts.
The court heard that in December 2007 Ibrahim used his computer to watch videos he made of women's feet.
He told the court: "They're probably from people at college.
"I captured those images on my mobile. The women obviously didn't know. I have a sexual interest in women's feet."
Ibrahim said that, in February 2008, he did a Google internet search using the term "Keira Knightley feet".
He said: "I accessed the internet for a picture of Keira Knightley's feet, which I found very attractive."
Ibrahim said he also browsed the web for pictures of women's footwear and bizarre sites including those examining scientific proof for the tooth fairy, understanding why parrots talk and sites involving the Care Bears and Gummy Bears.
Ibrahim told the court that he converted to Islam in July 2006 after visiting a mosque in Birmingham with a friend called Jeremy Booth who had converted from Buddhism and changed his name to Jamal.
The imam at the mosque had made a speech condemning terrorism.
Once he converted, Ibrahim adopted the mantle of a devout Muslim – sometimes wearing white robes, a headscarf and sandals.
He said he deliberately attracted attention with his dress people would think he was a good Muslim.
The court heard Ibrahim borrowed a book from his brother called Inside 9/11, What Really Happened, an examination of the September 11 terror attack on the World Trade Center.
He said: "I had no sympathy with what the bombers had done; I don't think what they did was right. The Twin Towers was a civilian target."
Ibrahim said he did believe resistance to US forces in Iraq was justified, however.
He told the court he only managed to read the first four or five chapters of the Koran, but it was the political side of Islam which really interested him.
He said: "I thought if I made it more interesting by looking at politics it would be more likely I would stick with it."
The court heard that in early 2008 he also browsed the internet for information on explosives, because he was interested in making some.
Ibrahim said another aspect of making himself big was displaying several old mobile phone SIM cards in an Osama Bin Laden ashtray; he said he knew terrorists had multiple SIM cards, and "role-played" he was one.
He told the court the only reason he had nails stored in his flat was for vinyl fixing and picture hanging.
The case continues.
