A man that planned to kill controversial Christian street preacher Hatun Tash initially planned to attack crowds at the Queen’s funeral, a court has heard.

Edward Little, aged 22, of Pelham Street, Brighton, is currently awaiting sentencing at The Old Bailey, after pleading guilty to acts of terrorism, by planning to attack Tash at Speaker’s Corner.

The court heard that Little initially planned to shoot into crowds at the funeral of the late monarch, but it was “too late,” as the event was the following day.

Instead, he paid a taxi driver £300 to drive him to London to attack Tash, where he planned to buy a gun on the way. 

He was intercepted by police before he could purchase the weapon.

Little was found in possession of a rucksack containing £5,000 in cash, a passport, and two mobile phones.

At a hearing on Monday, Little also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm during his time at Belmarsh prison, where he has been awaiting his sentence.

After Little perceived an inmate to have “disrespected his religion,” he attacked them with boiling water and two razor blades.

Tash – who previously subscribed to the Muslim faith before converting to Christianity -  has regularly preached against the Islamic faith, and the Qu’ran at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park. 

In 2021, she was stabbed, resulting in wounds to her face and hands.