Three men 'planned to attack English Defence League'

Three men from Birmingham have appeared in court accused of plotting to attack members of the English Defence League.

It follows raids last week by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.

Jewel Uddin, 26, Omar Mohammed Khan, 27, and Mohammed Hasseen, 23, all from Sparkhill, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The BBC's Tom Symonds says the court heard guns, knives, machetes and a home-made explosive device were found in a car.

Mr Uddin, Mr Khan and Mr Hasseen were charged under the Terrorism Act 2006, accused of preparing for an act or acts of terrorism with the intention of committing such acts.

They are accused of manufacturing an improvised explosive device, as well as acquiring firearms and other weapons, and vehicles connected with their alleged plans.

The case has been sent to the Old Bailey for a hearing on 31 July.

The arrests last week followed a routine police stop of a vehicle on the M1 near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on 30 June.

Our correspondent says the three, all with dark hair and beards, wore black sweatshirts and trousers as they sat in the dock at Tuesday's hearing.

Four other men detained in connection to the investigation remain in custody.

They are a 22-year-old man from Smethwick, West Midlands; a 22-year-old man from Alum Rock, Birmingham; a 24-year-old man from Moseley, Birmingham; and a man 43 of aged  from Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

Police have been given until Wednesday to charge, release or apply for a warrant of further detention for three of them. The fourth man can be held until Thursday.

-BBC