An associate of the Manchester synagogue attacker has pleaded guilty to driving the killer to the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom to carry out "hostile reconnaissance".
Mohammad Bashir, 31, today admitted to preparing terrorist acts after giving Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a lift to the secure 600-acre site in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire.
The charge presented to the Old Bailey states Bashir did so “with the intention of assisting Jihad Al-Shamie to commit acts of terrorism”.
Bashir drove Al-Shamie to the base on August 14, 2025 — just 49 days before the latter drove his Kia Picanto into pedestrians before stabbing worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester.
Three people were killed in the incident, including Al-Shamie and a worshipper, who were both shot dead by police, with three others injured.
Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were stabbed by Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born British citizen, who was wearing a fake suicide belt at the time of the attack.
Bashir, of Shaftsbury Road in Cheetham Hill, was arrested at Manchester Airport on November 27.
He was not found culpable in relation to the synagogue attack.
Mohammad Bashir pleaded guilty
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He had also pleaded not guilty to three counts of disseminating terrorist publications relating to Jihad and martyrdom on WhatsApp between November and December 2024.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC said the court could pass a sentence on Bashir reflecting "the seriousness of the offending behaviour”.
He invited the High Court to order the outstanding charges to lie on file.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a two-day sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court on July 20 and 21.
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She ordered a pre-sentence report, telling Bashir he had opened up to a “very serious charge”.
Bashir, who previously denied preparation of terrorist acts by assisting Al‑Shamie, has now been remanded into custody.
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