Briton 'directed Islamist terror group fighters'

A BRITISH man has appeared in court accused of being a platoon leader with an Islamist terror group based in Somalia.

- BY SAM HALL

Jermaine Grant, 43, is charged with directing the activities of the Al-Shabaab unit, and is alleged to have attended commando training camps.

Prosecutors allege London-born Grant took part in "battles" in Somalia, East Africa.

Setting out the charges, prosecutor Carl Kelvin said: "Grant went to Al-Shabaab training camps, trained as a commando, became a platoon leader, took part in a number of battles and discharged firearms and took full part in fighting."

Grant was charged yesterday with directing the activities of Al-Shabaab between December 31, 2007, and January 1, 2010.