Wife jailed for buying her husband a knife and practising attacks on a dummy in ISIS-inspired terror plot could be released from prison in the new year

A woman who bought her husband a knife in an ISIS inspired terror plot and practised attacks on a dummy could be released by a Parole Board.

Extremist Madihah Taheer, then 22, was jailed for 10 years in 2017 after purchasing a combat knife for her husband for a lone-wolf terror attack.

Ummar Mirza, 21, had researched potential targets, including army barracks in the Midlands and is believed to have been on the brink of an operation.

The couple, from Birmingham, were arrested on the 29th March 2017. Taheer was seven months pregnant at the time and gave birth in May 2017.

They were both jailed at Woolwich Crown Court in London - Mirza for 16 years for preparing acts of terrorism in the UK, and Taheer for assisting him.

Taheer's parole hearing will be complex because the three-strong panel will have to consider the key role she played in the plot and her dedication to the Islamic State.

The court heard the couple argued over which of them was more radical as they planned to emulate the 2015 San Bernardino attack in California, which killed 14 and left 22 injured.

A series of chilling messages sent to each other were read out during the trial.

In one message, Mirza said he wanted to stab someone 27 times, to which Taheer replied that 'sounds so satisfying'.

He then sent her a video of him pretending to stab a chair and asked her to buy him a knife.

The court also heard how Mirza fantasised about beheading Britain First's leader Paul Golding.

When police searched the couple's home in Birmingham, they found the training dummy with slash marks across the forehead, throat and abdomen.

Mirza admitted preparing terrorist acts and two counts of possessing information useful to a terrorist, after he researched potential targets including a Birmingham military base on his phone.

Taheer denied any involvement but was found guilty of the preparation of terrorist acts after trial at Woolwich Crown Court in October 2017.

Among the messages between the couple were several sent in September 2015, predating their marriage in April 2016, in which Taheer told Mirza: 'Can we get married already ffs. I want you to kill for me. I have a list.'

Mirza replied: 'The day of the nikkah (marriage) I'll kill em all. Give me the list. The only thing that stops me is we are not married. I will defo I'm not joking.'

The Crown Prosecution Service said the conversations showed Taheer was a 'willing accomplice' who knew what Mirza wanted to use the knife for.

Judge Christopher Kinch said in 2017: 'There is a clear and seemingly inexorable progress from interest and enthusiasm in terrorism, through research and study, into training, sourcing and acquiring equipment and then researching targets for action.

'At each stage the discussions between husband and wife demonstrate that Madihah Taheer was supportive throughout.'

Also sentenced was 23-year-old Zainab Mirza, Mirza's sister, who shared Islamic State propaganda with the couple on social media.

Zainab, of Birmingham, earlier pleaded guilty to five counts of disseminating terrorist publications, which she had sent to her brother. She was sentenced to 30 months.

Speaking about the trio, the judge added: 'At the time that the discussions and plans of Umar Mirza and Madihah Taheer were reaching their final stages, Zainub Mirza was fuelling the extremist sentiments that were driving her brother and sister-in-law.'

Taheer was seven months pregnant at the time, giving birth to a son in May.

Mirza had been researching Masood on his computer, alongside potential targets, googling Birmingham Barracks as well as Jewish areas of London and Birmingham Central Synagogue.

When he posted a knife emoji on his WhatsApp account police decided it was time to swoop.

Taheer, now 28, an administrator for a children's nursery, who was seven months pregnant, was found guilty of lending him her debit card to buy a knife.

MailOnline can reveal that Taheer will have her hearing listed in the new year. It will be her first parole appeal.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm the parole review of Madihah Taheer has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.

'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

Mirza, now 27, had trained as an accountant but failed his exams and was working in an administrative role at the accountancy firm in Alum Rock.

Mirza remains in jail and has not yet been referred to the Parole Board.

Zainab Mirza, Mirza's sister, is understood to have been released at the end of her sentence.