Prince Harry's Would-Be Assasin Jailed For Death Threat

A Muslim convert, who hatched a plan to assassinate Prince Harry using a low-calibre pistol in a plot he named Operation Regal, has been jailed.

Belfast-born Ashraf Islam, 31, formerly known as Mark Townley, confessed to police he had “advanced plans” to kill the Prince.

He walked into a police station the day after Drummer Lee Rigby was killed in Woolwich, south-east London, and told an officer of his intentions.

“You pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill Prince Harry,” the Recorder of Kensington and Chelsea Richard McGregor-Johnson told bearded Islam.

“I have to remember this was not a threat in isolation, you had made research into his wherabouts and engagements and gave the matter considerable thought.

“Your view at the time was that those that served as officers in the army were morally accountable and you felt you had a moral right, which you continued to hold when you spoke to the doctor.

“There is no evidence of professional planning and your plan was vague and unlikely to have been successful.

“Even such an enterprise, if you tried to carry it out, would have involved the intervention of armed police in public.

“So it was not just the target that is important, but the wider public.”

Islam described Drummer Rigby as a “soft target” and said he didn’t agree with the attack on the serviceman.

He eventually revealed he intended to kill Prince Harry because the third in line to the throne “had blood on his hands”.

A document found on Islam’s computer said: “Aim for target. No civilians to be injured.

"Dress code is the the biker look. Use low-calibre pistol at close range. Not to be viewed as Islamist extremist.”

Islam, who changed his name by deed poll in 2010, arrived in the UK from Thailand the day before his arrest.

Prosecutor Lynne Townley previously told Isleworth Crown Court: “He said he has been watching the Horse Guards Parade and planned to disarm an officer whilst disguised as a tourist rather than bringing a gun into London.

“He spent ten days in Thailand searching Prince Harry and his whereabouts.

"He used his time in Thailand to get his fitness to a higher level. He planned to send a phone warning to create a diversion.”

Miss Townley explained Islam, after landing at Heathrow, checked into a Travelodge and at 11am the following morning went to Hounslow police station in west London.

“He told duty officer PC Boyne that he wanted to talk about a murder. Miss Townley added: “He said he was being monitored by UK security.

“He was asked for further details of what these plans were and he said it was the murder of a high-profile person.”

Islam, who is separated from his wife and young child back in Northern Ireland, decided to confess after feeling “scared and nervous” on the morning of May 23.

He said he believed hurting people was wrong but “Prince Harry had chosen his path and had blood on his hands for power and profit”.

He pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court to one count of making a threat to kill on May 25 and has been in custody ever since.

After analysing his laptop, police discovered a number of internet searches showing Islam had been researching Prince Harry’s protection team, his engagements and his general whereabouts.

A video showed him making threats to kill Prince Harry to camera whilst he was in Malaysia.

Judge McGregor-Johnson added: “You have spent a long time in custody to get reports on you to explore the possibility of a personality disorder.

“The position is now clear there is a diagnosis of personality disorder and in certain circumstances the continuation of your behaviour untreated could lead to an unecessary risk to others.

“Given the uncertainties that lie ahead it is my judgement you do present a risk,” added the judge, who was restricted by legal authorities from passing an extended prison sentence.

“I would have wished to pass an extended sentence for the protection of the public, but that is wrong in principal.”

Islam has at least three convictions for dishonesty and in Northern Ireland in 2000 he received a nine month suspended sentence for attempted robbery.

“A substantial sentence of imprisonment is inevitable, you have been before the courts on a large number of occassions for a large number of offences.

“In all the circumstances, and I wish these remarks to be passed on, I urge the prison authorities to address the anger issues caused by the personality disorder and those that supervise you on licence must bear that in mind.

“That is because you have to avoid getting into this situation again and is the best chance to protect the public.”

Islam's lawyer miss Roxanne Morrell said the medical reports showed Islam no longer felt the same way. “It is suggested that those matters have disappated.

“If the position remains in abayance the risk will remain at a low level,” but she did concede. “If there is no assistance, risk in the future cannot be discounted.”