UK inmate sentenced to additional 3 years for extremist material and prison phones

A man who collected extremist content and used a mobile phone while serving a prison sentence for assaulting a police officer has been jailed again, according to Counter Terrorism Policing.

Muhammad Zakir Arif, from Bury, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday 24 July to three years in prison. The judge also ordered that he serve an additional year on licence and be subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order for five years upon his release.

Arif had previously pleaded guilty to:

• Four counts of possession of material of use to a terrorist under section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000
• Three counts of offences relating to prison security under section 40D of the Prisons Act 1952

During sentencing, His Honour Judge Conrad KC considered the defendant’s age and early guilty pleas, along with a previous sentence of three years already served for linked offences. The judge remarked that, for an adult, the offences would have attracted a sentence in the region of six years in custody. Passing sentence, the judge applied a special custodial sentence for offenders of particular concern and told the defendant that, based on the information provided in the hearing, “it is clear that you have no desire to rehabilitate”.

Background

Arif was originally jailed in September 2024 following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North West. That case included:

• Possession of knives
• Assaulting a police officer during interview
• Failing to comply with a notice under section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act by refusing to provide PIN numbers for his mobile phones

According to Counter Terrorism Policing, detectives subsequently accessed data from Arif’s phone and found multiple files containing extremist content, including videos released by extremist organisations encouraging attacks and offering advice on how they could be carried out.

While he was in prison for the original offences, an inspection of his cell discovered two hidden mobile phones. He initially claimed the phones were not his, but examination of one showed it had been used to contact associates outside the prison.

Police Statement

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Chadwick, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said:

“Muhammad Zakir Arif thought that by refusing to comply with a RIPA notice and provide access to his phone, his extremist activity would remain hidden. However, thanks to the detailed work by the investigation team, we were able to access the phone data and discover multiple extremist videos. These videos offered advice and encouragement to individuals considering conducting a terrorist attack. Ultimately, all he achieved by his original refusal to provide access to the phone was more prison time for himself.”

He added:

“Whilst serving the original prison time, he was found to have two phones in his possession and, despite claiming they weren’t his, he had clearly been in contact with associates. I hope his conviction for that offence sends a clear message to anyone considering using a phone illegally in prison that you will be brought to justice and face even more time in custody.”