Junead Ahmed Khan accused of preparing a terrorism act and, along with his uncle, of planning to join Isis in Syria

A 24-year old man has appeared in court accused of planning to attack US military personnel stationed in Britain. Junead Ahmed Khan is accused of preparing for terrorism between 10 May and 14 July this year, Westminster magistrates court heard on Tuesday.

He has also been charged, along with his uncle Shazib Ahmed Khan, 22, with a further terrorism offence for allegedly planning to travel to join Islamic State in Syria, which is a banned terrorist group under UK law.

Both men spoke only to confirm their names and appeared in prison-issue grey sweatshirts, while Shazib wore a black cap. They were remanded in custody by the chief magistrate, Howard Riddle, and will appear at the Old Bailey on 10 August.

The men, both from Luton, Bedfordshire, were arrested last Tuesday by officers from Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command. Police say they live on the same road in Luton. A third man, arrested last week in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, was released without charge on Monday.

Deborah Walsh, deputy head of counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Following an investigation by the Metropolitan police service’s SO15 [counter-terrorism command], we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Junead Khan and Shazib Khan with the intention of committing acts of terrorism.

“It is alleged that Junead Khan and Shazib Khan had been planning on travelling to Syria to join the proscribed organisation Islamic State in Levant (Isis). It is further alleged that Junead Khan was planning a terrorist attack on US military personnel in the UK and he has been charged with an additional terrorism offence to reflect this.”