A Newcastle man has admitted inciting people to commit terror attacks in Germany, and buying explosive equipment.

Fatah Mohammed Abdullah, 35, bought more than 8,000 matches, fireworks, fuses, explosives precursors – or substances that could be used to manufacture explosives – and a remote control detonator.

His intention was to help Omar Babek and Ahmed Hussein commit acts of terrorism in Germany, a video-link hearing at Liverpool crown court heard on Friday.

The British-Iranian, from the Arthur’s Hill area of the city, pleaded guilty to inciting terrorism overseas and engaging in conduct in preparation for giving effect to an intention to assist others to commit terror attacks.

Charges against the defendant state that between 9 April 2018 and 11 December 2018, he encouraged others to commit terror attacks in the country, including by driving a car into a crowd, attacking people with a meat cleaver and setting off bombs.

The court heard he had searched for guides to explosives online and had tested a remote detonation system.

Psychiatric reports will be prepared on the defendant, who appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh, before his sentencing on 7 May.

The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, said the hearing was unlikely to be held in person. “In the current situation, where we are going to be in six weeks’ time is not readily available but the likelihood is we will be needing some kind of video system,” he said.