Ricin Plotter's To-Do List: 'Get Pet To Murder'

A software programmer has been convicted of plotting to buy enough of the deadly toxin ricin to kill 1,400 people.

Mohammed Ali, 31, agreed to pay a supplier on the Dark Web £320 for 500mg of ricin earlier this year.

But the supplier was in fact an FBI agent who sent Ali harmless powder in five vials hidden in a toy car and alerted police in the UK to Ali’s plan.

The father of two was arrested at his home in Prescot Road, Liverpool, after receiving the package.

During the trial, the Old Bailey heard Ali messaged the undercover agent in January: "Hi would you be able to make me some ricin and send it to the UK?"

After a string of questions about the price, bulk orders and repeat orders, Ali asked how the chemical should be tested. The agent said he must test it on a rodent.

Days before the delivery, Ali had made a to-do list on his computer which included the entries "paid ricin guy" and "get pet to murder", the court heard.

The father of two was found guilty on attempting to possess a chemical weapon between January 10 and February 12.

Adjourning sentencing to September 18, Mr Justice Saunders said: "There is no evidence that he was planning any sort of terrorist attack.

"There is also no evidence that he had in mind any specific victims for ricin. I do not accept he was going to dispose of it.

"I'm satisfied it would have remained in his possession in some way and that is the basis on which I propose to sentence."

In his defence, Ali said he was "curious" and wanted to buy ricin for a "peaceful purpose".

He told the jury: "I was interested in the Dark Net and ricin. I just wanted to know what the fuss was about.

"I wanted to know can you actually get anything from these sites. So I go on one of these websites - Evolution.

"I found lots of different items ranging from drugs, guns, other illegal items, and because I had been watching Breaking Bad TV show I just had ricin in my mind."

But prosecutor Sally Howes QC said Ali was a "chancer" who thought he would "get away" with the meticulously researched plan.

Ali had previously been involved in various illegal scams, which including stealing £250,000 from PayPal.

He also told jurors how he used to "mine" for Bitcoins rather than buying them.