Judge orders report to find out if Walsall Muslim convert found guilty of trying to fight for ISIS is dangerous
A judge has asked for a report to be compiled to see if a Muslim convert radicalised at his home in the Black Country is dangerous, a court heard.
Ismael Watson, formerly known as Jack, has been found guilty of trying to fight for ISIS in Syria.
The 27-year-old, who lived in Walsall, was intercepted by Turkish authorities and deported to the UK after vowing to carry out terrorist atrocities during encrypted chats with undercover MI5 agents.
He flew to Turkey and tried to cross the border into the war-torn country between January 1 last year and February 23 this year.
Prosecutors said the chats show Watson's 'hatred for Western society' and his determination to fight in a 'holy war against Western oppressors'.
He admitted trying to fight for ISIS but denied preparing to commit acts of terrorism, claiming the UK's courts cannot judge him.
However, the terrorist, who refused to attend court and was not represented, was found guilty by an Old Bailey after just 35 minutes of deliberations last month.
He came before the court again for a brief hearing, with Judge Anuja Dhir QC giving him another chance to cooperate with probation workers before he is sentenced on November 1.
She said: "Mr Watson, I'm satisfied from what has happened this morning that it would be a good and productive use of time to do a pre-sentence report."
A probation officer will assess whether Watson is 'dangerous' before the sentencing hearing.
Watson grew up with a non-Muslim family in Liverpool before he converted to Islam and moved to Walsall.
He became 'quickly radicalised' after watching ISIS videos online in 2015.
Watson, of no fixed address but last living in Walsall, denied but was convicted of preparing to commit acts of terrorism between January 1 last year and February 23 this year, contrary to the Section 5 Terrorism Act 2006.
