Man charged over Lee Rigby videos

A 22-year-old man has been charged with terror offences after allegedly making a series of video recordings about the death of soldier Lee Rigby.

Royal Barnes, from Hackney, east London, is accused of creating clips about the father-of-one's death, publishing a statement entitled "Muslim laughs at British Soldier killing", and inciting terrorism overseas.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today after being arrested on Friday along with a 21-year-old woman, who is due to answer bail tomorrow.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said Barnes is charged with dissemination of terrorist publications for allegedly making a series of recordings about Fusilier Rigby's death on May 22, and circulating them "with the intention, either directly or indirectly of encouraging others into the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism".

He is also charged with encouraging an act of terrorism by publishing a statement that glorified the killing, and inciting terrorism overseas.

It is claimed that on June 12 he "incited another to commit an act of terrorism, wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom, and that act, would if committed in England and Wales constitute an offence".

Fusilier Rigby was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks in south east London on May 22, and hundreds of floral tributes were left near the scene of his death.

It is alleged that Barnes made a video entitled "Muslim laughs at British Soldier killing", featuring a man driving past the piles of flowers on Artillery Place and laughing about the killing.

Barnes will next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.

PA