Man charged with preparing acts of terrorism

A 26-year-old man has been charged with the preparation of terrorism acts.

Tuhin Shahensha, from Southsea, Portsmouth, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London and was remanded in custody.

He was one of four people arrested as part of a number of warrants executed across Hampshire and London by officers from the South East Counter Terrorism Unit on Tuesday, October 14.

Shanesha has been charged under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, police said.

District Judge John Zani sent the case to the Old Bailey, where Shanesha will appear on November 14.

The defendant, who wore a dark brown top and glasses and had his hair tied back in a ponytail, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

Prosecutor Mark Dawson told the court: "The defendant is charged with one count of preparing acts of terrorism, which is an indictable only offence.

"I therefore invite the court to send the matter to the Central Criminal Court, where the first realistic date is November 14."

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman remain in police custody after the dawn raids.

Counter-terror officers, working alongside colleagues from the Hampshire Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police, carried out a series of warrants.

Police confirmed the arrests were related to the ongoing conflict in Syria.

The majority of those arrested are suspected of helping others rather than having been there themselves.

Another woman, 29 and from Greenwich, was released without charge.