Chip shop owner suspected of Christmas market plot
ANTI-TERROR police may have foiled a plot to detonate a Manchester Arena-style bomb at Leeds Christmas Market after one of the suspects allegedly made a 100-mile round trip to the city.
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Hazhar Starr, 31, is believed to have travelled from his Chesterfield home just days after the German themed-market opened.
A week earlier, he is said to have visited Coventry where a similar market opened.
Last night anti-terror police were granted an extension to question chip shop owner Starr and three alleged male accomplices aged 36, 41 and 22 until Christmas Day following raids across Sheffield and Chesterfield on Tuesday.
MI5 suspected a jihadi cell was preparing a festive massacre to kill hundreds of people.
He changed overnight
Sources believe the alleged terror plot was intended to cause “mass devastation” in a city.
It is understood the alleged terror plot centres on two potential bomb factories – a flat above the Mermaid fish and chip takeaway in Chesterfield and a Sheffield bedsit.
According to his Facebook page Starr “checked in” to Leeds on Friday November 17.
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The post was “liked” by a number of friends.
He split with girlfriend Joanne Mallinson, 33, a year ago after becoming “obsessed” with Islam.
She said last night: “He changed overnight.
“He started praying and going to the main mosque in Sheffield every night.”
