London: The parents of a white British Muslim convert dubbed "Jihadi Jack", thought to be fighting in Syria with the ISIS militants, will stand trial in January accused of funding terrorism.
Jack Letts, 20, is believed to be the first white Briton fighting in Syria. John Letts, 55, and Sally Lane, 54, appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with three counts of entering or becoming concerned in an arrangement to make money available, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that it may be used for terrorism.
Jack's mother is charged with two further counts of attempting to provide money or property knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect it could be used for the purpose of terrorism.
The pair will appear in court for a plea hearing on November 17 before their trial commences in the New Year. They were remanded in custody but after appearing before Justice Saunders earlier this month, they were granted the pair bail. He had described them as "two perfectly decent people have ended up in custody because of the love of their child".
The couple's defence barrister, Di Middleton, has assured the court they would not attempt to send any more money to their son, and had not done so while on police bail.
Their bail was extended and a trial date of January 9, 2017 has been set, expected to last up to four weeks. Jack Letts, 20, is suspected of being the first white Briton to join the terror group after he left his Oxford home and travelled to Syria last year.
His parents deny providing money for suspected terrorism and have previously maintained they sent their son money to buy a new pair of glasses.
