A DUDLEY man has been jailed for supplying terrorist material to inmates at a Kent prison.

Usman Choudhary, who was sending letters to convicted terrorists and other inmates pleaded guilty to disseminating terrorist material at Kingston Crown Court.

The 34-year-old was sentenced to nine months in custody but due to the time he had already spent in prison while on remand, he has now been released.

The court heard Choudhary, of Terry Street, Kates Hill, posted an extremist publication - which the prosecution argued was reckless and could encourage terrorism - to a Muslim convert at Swaleside Prison.

The material was intercepted by prison staff before it reached the intended recipient.

He was arrested and a search of his house recovered a range of extremist literature plus records of hundreds of letters and small gifts sent to terrorist prisoners.

However, it was not until the unemployed man sent the offending publication - a book called Join the Caravan, which encourages violent jihad - to the Swaleside inmate that his actions changed from being a potential cause for concern to a criminal offence.

Det Chief Supt Sue Southern, head of the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “Police and prison officials are alive to the risks of radicalisation of inmates and are working together to tackle the issue.

“This was a dangerous publication to send into a prison and we are grateful to the Swaleside staff for their vigilance and prompt call to police.”

Choudhary, who has a previous conviction for conspiracy to defraud banks, pleaded guilty to one count under Section 2 of the Terrorism Act and was acquitted of two similar counts.