A British al-Qaeda terrorist who plotted atrocities on both sides of the Atlantic was jailed for at least 40 years today.
Muslim convert Dhiren Barot (34) was jailed for life at Woolwich Crown Court in London today after pleading guilty last month to conspiracy to murder.
He had plotted to blow up the New York Stock Exchange and carry out attacks in Britain with gas-filled limousines and a "dirty bomb".
Dhirn Barot - jailed today for at least 40 years
Mr Justice Butterfield said Barot would have to serve at least 40 years in jail before being considered for release. The judge said Barot's plans would have caused carnage on a "colossal and unprecedented scale" if successful.
Barot was accused of plotting to blow up the headquarters of the New York Stock Exchange, Citigroup, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and and Prudential in New York, Washington and Newark, New Jersey.
In Britain, Barot conceived a scheme to blow up three limousines packed with gas cylinders in car parks underneath major buildings. Prosecutors said he carried out reconnaissance on leading London hotels and three railway stations.
His plans for attacks in Britain were found in a file on a laptop discovered by Pakistani police in July 2004 after they arrested Naeem Noor Khan, described as a major al-Qaeda figure. Bharot and seven others, who will face trial next year, were arrested the following month in Britain.