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Woman admits plotting to bomb St Paul's cathedral in London

People relax in the warm weather near St Paul's Cathedral in central London

LONDON (Reuters) - A woman has pleaded guilty to two terrorism offences, including scoping out St Paul's cathedral in London as a possible bomb target, police said on Friday.

Safiyya Shaikh, 36, of Hayes, west London, has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the Old Bailey on May 11.

She was charged last October with preparing terrorist acts including making contact with someone she believed could help her make explosives and staying in a hotel to conduct reconnaissance.

The statement of charges also said she selected the hotel as a target for an explosive device and then scoped out St Paul's as a location to plant a second bomb. She also prepared words of a pledge of allegiance to Islamic State.

The second charge related to disseminating terrorist publications, police added in a statement.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Stephen Addison)