The terrorist behind the Manchester synagogue attack groomed multiple women on dating apps and previously expressed interest in joining the Islamic State, it has been revealed.
Jihad al-Shamie, 35, is believed to have been obsessed with Islamic dating apps and was living with his mother following a divorce from his wife, who he cheated on.
According to an ex-partner, the terrorist sent abusive messages, pushed her to watch "extreme" videos and married a British NHS nurse who converted to Islam before the relationship with his wife ended.
The Syrian-born attacker married the Briton in a secret Islamic wedding behind his wife's back, which ultimately led to the downfall of his marriage.
Shamie groomed multiple women on dating apps and previously expressed interest in joining the Islamic State
| FACEBOOKWhile a former friend of Shamie said the deceased terrorist was a university drop-out who spent his days smoking cannabis and playing video games.
He said: “He was a bit of a rebellious wild child. He got into a lot of trouble with his parents."
The Islamist's ex-neighbours added that he would swan around wearing flip-flops and pyjamas, and routinely irritated locals by poorly parking his Kia.
However, more sinister details have come to light after an ex-girlfriend revealed that Shamie entered into an abusive relationship with her when she was 18.
An ex-girlfriend revealed that Shamie beat her and demanded she dress more modestly
|GB NEWS
She told the Manchester Evening News that he would obsessively contact women through an Islamic dating app, Muzz, beat her, and demand she dress more modestly during their four-month relationship.
The ex-girlfriend revealed he told her he wanted to join Isis and urged her to watch "extreme" videos.
She revealed to the newspaper: "He used to say 'I want you to be dedicated to the cause'.
"He was basically just trying to groom me into what he thought.”
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The ex revealed that Shamie revealed to her that he had "rape fantasies" and that “there were times when he would send me videos of him with other girls, and the girls were quite young.”
She continued: “He used to say weird stuff. It was just insane."
The former girlfriend, who now resides overseas, added that she "can’t believe" she stayed in a relationship with him for "as long as I did".
She also revealed that he lied about his age to her and used to message girls on the Islamic dating app under false aliases, such as "Ahmed" and "Valentino".
The attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue left two Jewish worshippers dead and a further three injured
| PAThe ex-partner noted that "he kept getting banned because of his speech and what he was sending".
The Islamist previous worked as a computer programmer and an English tutor, but according to Government insolvency documents, he was unemployed and turned to a debt relief order last year.
It emerged shortly after the attack that Shamie was on bail after being accused of rape.
His attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue left two Jewish worshippers dead and a further three injured.
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