Chesterfield terror suspect insists he wasn't making bomb in town chippy

Andy Star, 32, the former owner of the Mermaid Fish Bar on Sheffield Road, and his co-accused Farhad Salah, 23, of Brunswick Road, Sheffield, are on trial at Sheffield Crown Court jointly charged with preparing an act of terrorism in the UK in support of so-called Islamic State (IS). Both men deny the accusation.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Star claimed materials found in the flat above his then fish and chip shop - including black powder, potassium nitrate and sulphur - were for making fireworks.

Simon Kealey QC, representing Star, asked him: “Were you ever going to use any of the ingredients found for anything other than fireworks?”

Star replied: “No, never.”

He added he had no intention of making a bomb or any other form of explosive nor did he have any form of agreement to carry out acts of terrorism with Salah.

Star - wearing a dark suit and tie in the witness box - told how he thought he was dreaming when armed police raided his property on December 19 last year to arrest him.

He said: “I never expected anything like this in my life.

“I’m not a person who makes trouble.

“I didn’t know why they were there - I thought it might be because of the fireworks.

“I’ve done something which is legal.

“I wouldn’t make something dangerous.”

Star, who was born in Kurdistan, said he developed an interest in fireworks as a child.

He told the jury he made fireworks at the Mermaid Fish Bar and added: “It was a hobby.