London terror attacker Khalid Masood went by at least three different names on his path to becoming an ISIS killer
THE man who went on to mow down tourists and Londoners on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer took on multiple aliases as he moved towards becoming an ISIS murderer.
He was born Adrian Elms to single mum Janet – Scotland Yard have confirmed he later took on the surname name of his stepdad Phillip Ajao.
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At the time of his murderous rampage he was known by his Islamist convert name Khalid Masood.
It was under this pseudonym that he checked into the hotel the night before he travelled to London to carry out the attack.
His birth name was registered in March 1965 as Adrian R Elms, born in Dartford, Kent, to 17-year-old Janet.
The 52-year-old had a string of previous convictions and was known to security services before he rampaged through Westminster this week, killing four people, and later died.
It is now known he took on at least three names before carrying out the atrocity in the heart of London – which killed a police officer and ISIS have since claimed.
His mother was said to be “too upset” to comment last night.
Janet Ajao, 69, who runs a business selling hand-made cushions and bags was being questioned by cops at her remote farmhouse in South West Wales.
She gave birth to Masood on Christmas Day and two years later married Phillip. Masood grew up in a £300,000 house in the seaside town of Rye, East Sussex before moving to Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where they lived with Masood’s half-brothers, Alex and Paul.
Masood’s criminal career dated back to 1983 and included convictions for assault, GBH and possession of an offensive weapon. He spent time behind bars at Lewes Prison in East Sussex, Wayland Prison in Norfolk and Ford open prison in West Sussex.
In a CV seen by The Sun he claimed he was an experienced English teacher who had worked across the world.
Raids were carried out by Counter Terror police the night after the attack, with eight people arrested at a number of addresses all over the UK – one woman has since been released on bail.
Scotland Yard’s top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said the suspects were held overnight in the West Midlands and north west.
Mr Rowley appealed to the public for information about the killer, who was also known as Adrian Elms but was using the name Khalid Masood at the time of the attack.
Following the attack two people remain in hospital in a critical condition, one with a life-threatening injuries. Two police officers injured in the attack are also in hospital with “significant injuries”.
Mr Rowley said: “We remain keen to hear from anyone who knew Khalid Masood well, understands who his associates were and can provide us with information about places he has recently visited.
“There might be people out there who did have concerns about Masood but did not feel comfortable for whatever reason in passing those concerns to us.”
Asked about where Muslim convert Masood, 52, had been radicalised, Mr Rowley said: “As I have said our investigation focuses on understanding his motivation, preparation and associates.
“Whilst there is no evidence of further threats you will understand our determination to find out if he either; acted totally alone, inspired by terrorist propaganda; or, if others have encouraged, supported or directed him.
“To that end in our continuing investigation and ongoing covert activity we have made further significant arrests overnight – in the West Midlands and north west.”
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