Brustholm Ziamani (pictured), 20, was said to be 'within hours' of executing his murder plan with a hammer and a 12 inch knife when he was arrested

A Muslim convert who was jailed for 22 years for plotting a Lee Rigby-style beheading has had his sentence slashed by three years because a judge felt he was too young to serve such a length.

Brustholm Ziamani, 20, was said to be 'within hours' of executing his murder plan with a hammer and a 12 inch knife when he was arrested in east London on August 19, 2014.

After being hauled to jail he told a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth he intended to pose with the soldier's decapitated head - his 'trophy' - in one hand and an Islamic flag in the other.

The extremist, who was groomed by members of a radical Islamic organisation, had researched the locations of Army cadet bases in south east London - as well as detailed information about Lee Rigby's killing.

When police searched Ziamani's house during an unrelated investigation in June 2014, they found handwritten notes vowing that 'British soldiers' heads will be removed' as he '[waged] war against the British Government'.

Another note stated: 'We should do a 9/11 and a 7/7 and Woolwich all in one day every day for eight years.'

Judge Timothy Pontius jailed Ziamani for 22 years with an extended licence period of five years at the Old Bailey last March after he was convicted of preparing an act of terrorism.

But the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Sir John Thomas, today reduced that custodial sentence to 19 years at the Court of Appeal on the basis of sentencing guidance under section five of The Terrorism Act.

Referring to Ziamani's punishment, he said: 'This offending was towards the very top end of the scale for offences under section five [of the Terrorism Act] but, given his youth, we consider that the custodial part of the sentence, namely 22 years, was too long.'

The extremist (left), who was groomed by members of a radical Islamic organisation, had researched the locations of Army cadet bases in south east London - as well as detailed information about Lee Rigby's (right) killing

He continued: '[Judge Pontius] found, as he was entitled to do, that, had Ziamani not been arrested on the late afternoon of August 19 2014, he would have carried out that intention "within hours at most" by using the hammer and knife to commit a terrorist attack on the streets of London in imitation of the murder of Lee Rigby.'

He added: 'If he had not found a soldier, he would have found a policeman or other figure of authority.'

During his trial at the Old Bailey he claimed he never intended to carry out a terror attack and was only joking when he boasted about it to his ex-girlfriend.

Judge Timothy Pontius jailed Ziamani for 22 years with an extended licence period of five years at the Old Bailey last March after he was convicted of preparing an act of terrorism. But the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Sir John Thomas, today reduced that custodial sentence to 19 years

Ziamani, who enjoyed the hobbies of boxing and parkour before converting to Islam in n the spring of 2014, was brought up a devout Christian by his strict parents, who are both Jehovah's Witnesses and come from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As a child he was taken to knock on people's doors to 'proselytise and evangelise' in an attempt to convert them to his religion.

His faith meant he never had a birthday or celebrated Christmas.

Police found that he was carrying this blade - with which he intended to murder a serving British soldier on the streets of London

His planned attack would also involve the use of this hammer. However, he was intercepted just 'hours' before carrying it out

After being hauled to jail Ziamani told a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth he intended to pose with the soldier's decapitated head - his 'trophy' - in one hand and an Islamic flag in the other

But when his father found photographs of girls on his Facebook page, Ziamani was excluded from the church and kicked out of the family home.

He then 'went off the rails' and began to commit petty crimes while sleeping at St Thomas' Hospital, in central London.

He claimed he found comfort in the Islamic faith and began sleeping at Camberwell Mosque.

In his earlier conviction he was found guilty of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts on or before August 20, 2014.