A BRADFORD mother of two who tried to take her children to Syria to live under Islamic State control has been jailed for more than five years.

The woman, 34, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wished to live under strict Sharia law and believed such a regime could only be found where IS imposed control, Leeds Crown Court heard.

She abducted her children in October last year with the intention of travelling to Raqqa but was stopped by Turkish authorities in Istanbul and returned to the UK after her husband and parents contacted police.

Officers believe she had travelled with the intention of living under IS.

Following extensive enquiries, the woman was returned to the UK where she was arrested. She earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of child abduction, relating to her children, who were both aged under 16.

Sentencing the woman to five years and four months in jail, Judge Rodney Jameson QC said: "You were determined to take them to Raqqa in Syria.

"Raqqa is, and was in October 2015, the epicentre of a war zone. Further, it was, and presently remains, under the control of IS.

"It is said on your behalf that you do not support much of what IS do. It is not easy to reconcile this submission with the assertion that you believe that Sharia law is only enforced properly by IS.

"In any event, the nature of the regime imposed by IS in Syria is clear. It is beyond dispute that IS enforce their will by the use of extreme force. Such force routinely includes mutilation, rape and murder. You are an intelligent and well-educated woman, you knew this.

"The fate of your children would have been either to have subscribed, fully and actively, as we have all seen in the appalling use of a young child in an IS propaganda video in recent days, to such behaviour, or to have suffered it themselves."

Speaking after the case, Detective Chief Superintendent Clive Wain, Head of North East Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “The police, together with partner agencies including local authorities and education establishments, have a wide ranging strategy in place aimed at identifying, preventing and where necessary disrupting people who intend to travel to places such as Syria and parts of Iraq.

“These areas are dangerous and any person travelling to them is putting themselves and their children at risk. The reality of life in areas of conflict is far from the image that terrorist groups actively promote to women here in the UK.

“Safeguarding children is a priority for police. In addition we are committed to safeguarding those who are vulnerable to the rhetoric issued by Daesh [IS] . Our message is clear; contact us in order to prevent tragedies. The earlier a loved one who has concerns can contact us the sooner we can intervene.

“The safety of our communities is paramount. Whilst we will bring those who have committed a criminal offence before the courts, we would much prefer to stop people from crossing into a path of criminality.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism, said: “Life under Daesh is no place for any child. Any mother who decides to take her children to live in a conflict zone is putting her family in grave danger. They are likely to witness extreme terror, become victims of violence, or, in some cases, be drawn into extremism and terrorism themselves.

“The consequences of these decisions are profound. Mothers may find themselves alone and isolated, living under an oppressive regime, often unable to leave their living quarters, let alone return home. Their families at home will be left devastated with very little option to secure a safe return for their loved ones; and parents themselves could find themselves in prison and losing access to their children if they are putting them in danger.

“I would urge families who have concerns that someone they love and care for may be considering travelling to come forward to the police or tell someone they trust in their local community about their fears so that, together, we can prevent further tragedies.”

  • Anyone concerned about someone travelling to, or returning from, Syria or any other conflict zone or is worried about someone showing signs of being radicalised should contact police on 101 or visit www.preventtragedies.co.uk to access relevant support and advice.