A former student and social media influencer from Birmingham has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of possessing a bomb-making video.
Terrorism conviction and sentencing
Adam Mahmood, aged 20, from Platt Brook Way in Sheldon, was found guilty of a single terrorism charge last September following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He was sentenced today, on 15 January 2026, at the same court.
The charge was possessing a recording likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. Judge Simon Drew KC handed down a four-year custodial sentence to be served in a young offender institution.
The judge also imposed an extended licence period of three years that will commence once Mahmood is released from custody, stating this was necessary "in order to protect the public in the future".
Details of the offence and evidence
The court heard that Mahmood, who had amassed more than 27,000 followers on TikTok, had actively requested and received the instructional video via a messaging app in October 2023. He then saved it to his phone.
Prosecutors described the video as providing "a detailed guide" to creating an explosive substance, complete with instructions for a detonator and shrapnel to assemble a functional bomb. The type of explosive outlined has been used in previous terror attacks within the UK.
During sentencing, Judge Drew stated, "You must have understood the nature of the video. Its visuals and subtitles made clear it was a bomb-making guide, not an innocuous clip." He concluded that Mahmood had "terrorist motivations," a view informed by material found on his phone and items in his bedroom.
Weapons found in bedroom
Police discovered what the judge termed an "alarming display of medieval weapons" during a search of Mahmood's bedroom. The collection included swords, knives, an axe, and a catapult.
Although Mahmood, a former motor mechanics student, claimed these were linked to an interest in Islamic history, the judge noted the presence of ball bearings in the room suggested he was "at least contemplating assembling such a device."
Judge Drew remarked, "The presence of such an arsenal in the bedroom of an 18-year-old was a clear warning sign. One that regrettably no responsible adult acted upon."
Risk assessment and conclusion
The judge determined there was a "significant risk" Mahmood might commit further offences. This assessment was based on his possession of the video, the weapons cache, and evidence of a "high level of interest in, and support for, prohibited terrorist organisations."
While no evidence was presented that Mahmood intended to use the guide for a specific planned attack, the possession of such material for a terrorist purpose is a serious criminal offence. The case highlights the ongoing vigilance of counter-terrorism units in monitoring online activity.
