Jihadi Jack told parents ‘he wanted to behead British soldiers in ISIS terror attack’
John Letts and Sally Lane are accused of trying to wire £1,723 to their son Jack Letts
JIHADI Jack told his parents he wanted to behead British soldiers in an ISIS terror attack, a court heard today.
Teen Muslim convert Jack Letts claimed "I would love to perform a martyrdom" after seeing a photo of an old school friend celebrating passing a Commando Artillery Course in the British Army.
The comments were today read to the court as the parents of Letts - who was nicknamed Jihadi Jack - faced trial accused of funding terrorism.
Organic farmer John Letts, 58, and his wife Sally Lane, 56, have denied the charges after it was claimed they sent or tried to send sums totalling £1,723 to their son even though they had every reason to believe he had joined Islamic State in Syria.
The Old Bailey today heard claims the couple knew how extreme their son's views had become after seeing a comment he had written below photo of a group of soldiers, including a school friend Linus, as they celebrated completing a commando artillery course for the British Army in July 2015.
When Jack saw it, he allegedly responded: "I would love to perform a martyrdom operation in this scene".
Prosecutor Alison Morgan QC said the defendants appeared shocked by his Facebook post with mum Lane allegedly urging him not to be "so stupid".
The mum said: "How did we bring you up to be so easily manipulated?"
Her son allegedly responded: "I admit it was wrong if I seemed like I was joking. I genuinely believe attacking the British Army is a very praiseworthy action when the intention is correct. "I would happily kill each and every one of Linus Unit personally.
I'm really hoping that your disgusting comments about cutting people's heads off are not coming from you, i.e. someone else is using your account
Sally Lane
"This message for you, Mum and (younger brother) Tyler, I honestly want to cut Linus head off.
"I hope he finds himself lost in Beji or Fallujah one day and sees me whilst I'm armed and I put six bullets in his head."
His mother, a former fundraising and marketing officer, replied: "I'm really hoping that your disgusting comments about cutting people's heads off are not coming from you, i.e. someone else is using your account."
Letts told his son: 'You are also now caught up in a crusade that has left so many lives shattered…I hope you haven't lost your compassion Jack, either towards your brothers or your enemies.
"I think your leaders are good at twisting the writings of your holy books to justify their actions..."
'I'M A TERRIBLE PARENT'
The jury were told a police investigation was launched in 2015 into Jack's activities, with cops later seizing evidence from his home in Oxfordshire.
Alison Morgan, prosecuting, said: ";John Letts contacted Jack to tell him that as a result of his activities the police had attended their home.
"On 1 April 2015, he told Jack 'just wanted to let you know the impact of your choices on your family' and referred to the impact on the family from computer devices being taken away from them.
"He continued: 'They are watching everyone. Luckily we don't know anything about what you're doing. I just hope you have enough sense not to ruin your future while you're so young'."
Lane also contacted her son while he was fighting for ISIS and told him she had been "a terrible parent", it was said.
She messaged him on October 19, 2015, and said she had "clearly indulged him" and made him think he was "centre of the universe", jurors heard.
Lane continued: "I regret this bitterly. I was a terrible parent that gave you too much power as a child - I should have made you adapt to the world, instead of adapting myself to your world."
Letts also berated his son, saying: "Why should I risk going to jail for helping a 20 year old who is acting like a spoiled child rather than a man."
'EVERY SOUL WILL TASTE DEATH'
The message on Facebook came before two of the attempted bank transfers on December 31, 2015, and January 4, 2016.
The court was told that just before Christmas, Jack asked his mother what would happen if he returned to England.
Lane replied: "What sort of question is that? I know you're not returning to England.
"If you hadn't done any fighting you'd get less (i.e. less time in prison) than if you had.
"However, they would still try you for being part of a terrorist organisation, as defined by British law."
His dad also replied and told Jack he would be arrested if he came back as he was "suspected of being a member of a proscribed organisation" and was "considered a threat".
Following on from the exchange Jack told his parents: "I don't want to leave because of fear of bombs. Every soul will taste death.
"Rather I believe the Islamic state teaches the people a huge creedal mistake. And I don't want to be part of that teaching.
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"If I'm part of a group that takes over a city and then these people teach them Islam incorrectly and I know they are going to do that then I'm blameworthy".
Letts and Lane deny three charges of entering into a funding arrangement for the purposes of terrorism.
The trial continues.
