THE trial of a Cirencester man accused of helping a Cardiff teenager travel to Syria to join Islamic State (IS) started at the Old Bailey today.
Forhad Rahman, 21, is one of three men who deny helping Aseel Muthana, 17, make the journey in 2014.
Prosecutors said that Rahman had emotional closeness with Mr Muthana and the two called each other “honey, cutie and babe" in online messages.
In one message, Mr Forhad wrote to the teenager "radicalise babe x".
Prosecutor Christopher Hehir said: "They illustrate the assistance which Forhad Rahman readily gave to Aseel Muthana, in the full knowledge of what he was planning.
Prosecutors also said they believed that the messages could have been "humorous".
It was revealed to the court that Mr Muthana went by coach from Cardiff to Gatwick Airport in February, then flew to Larnaca, Cyprus, the following day.He then went to Syria and has not returned to the UK.
It is alleged that Rahman paid for a replacement passport and the coach ticket, which allowed Mr Muthana to leave Britain.
More to follow.
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