Cleric of Hate in Appeal Bid

Cleric of hate, Abu Hamza, is planning on appealing against his convictions of race hatred offences and incitement to murder.

The hook handed cleric was sentenced to serve seven years in prison last february at the Old Bailey, the trial lasted a month. The jury had found him guilty of 11 out of the 15 charges brought against him.

Hamza's lawyers will apply for Hamza's leave so he can face three judges in London at an appeal hearing.

Before the trial, Hamza gave 'sermons of hatred' outside his mosque in Finsbury Park, North London, as well as in Luton, in Blackburn and Whitechapel, where he preached about murder and terrorism against non muslims to fanatical Muslim followers.

Hamza had also been found of posessing a 'terror manual' which contained a dedication to Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, as well as terrorist targets such as Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower. Hamza and followers referred to the manual as the 'Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad'.

At the time of the trial, Judge Mr. Justice Hughes stated that Hamza had, "helped to create an atmosphere in which to kill has become regarded by some as not only a legitimate course but a moral and religious duty in pursuit of perceived justice".