Teenager charged with terrorism after three controlled explosions in Bristol two weeks ago

A Muslim convert will appear in court accused of a series of terror offences.

Andrew Ibrahim, 19, was charged with offences relating to explosive substances.

The son of an NHS consultant was arrested almost two weeks ago by police who then carried out three controlled explosions at his flat.

He has now been charged with possession of an explosive substance, the intention to commit terrorism and the possession of articles for terrorist purposes.

Ibrahim, who changed his first name to Isa after converting to Islam, was educated at some of Bristol's top independent schools.

Speaking ahead of his appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, his family spoke of their "shock" at the charges.

In a joint statement, his relatives said: "As a family we have been shocked and deeply distressed by the events of the past fortnight.

"We are still coming to terms with the news and trying to deal with this shock as a family."

Avon and Somerset Police say the teenager has been accused of possessing Hexamethalyene Triperoxide Diamine, also known as HMTD - an explosive organic chemical compound.

He has also been accused of possessing two home-made vests, ball bearings, air gun pellets, nails and screws, wired circuitry, batteries and electric bulb filaments.

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Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said: "It is believed that [...Ibrahim] intended to commit an act of terrorism, with the intention to construct and detonate an improvised explosive devise.

"This has been a very challenging and complex investigation for Avon and Somerset police with much work still to be done."

She said "significant amounts of material including numerous computers and associated media" had been recovered.

She added: "Over the past two weeks over 100 officers have been working on the enquiry with additional specialist support from our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service."

Mr Ibrahim, who moved to the Westbury-on-Trym area of Bristol just weeks before his arrest, is understood to have recently converted to Islam.

He was arrested after covert inquiries prompted by a tip-off from within the city's Muslim community.

Avon and Somerset police officers cordoned off woods near Mr Ibrahim's home following his arrest and evacuated surrounding homes.

The Muslim community in Bristol also stated they condemn terrorist activity following the charges made against Ibrahim.

A spokesman for the Counsel of Bristol Mosques, which claims to represent 30,000 Muslims in the city, said: "The council of Bristol mosques reiterates that we condemn in the strongest terms, any act for facet of terrorism and extremism.

"Islam has no remote connection whatsoever with such atrocious criminal actions or indeed intentions."