A BRITISH Muslim who threatened to blow up Bluewater on one of its busiest shopping days has been jailed for a year.

Saeed Ghafoor, 33, claimed he was plotting to pack three limousines with gas canisters and detonate them at Britain's busiest shopping mall on a Saturday.

Bluewater has previously been a target for terrorists. Five men were jailed in April last year for planning to bomb the complex.

Former teacher Ghafoor admitted, at the Old Bailey, threatening to destroy or damage property.

The court heard Ghafoor was serving a 12-month prison sentence for trying to strangle his sister when he made the threat to prison officers at Haverigg, Cumbria.

When prison manager Dawn Pugh visited Ghafoor in his cell he showed her a plan written in Arabic and English, detailing the terror attack.

Prosecutor Piers Arnold said: "He appeared calm, precise and focused.

"He repeated the threat that he was going to blow up the Bluewater shopping centre a number of times.

"Ms Pugh formed the impression he was an odd character, a loner with mental health issues."

When asked why Bluewater, Ghafoor replied because it was the largest in England and was in protest against American and British soldiers who "should all be blown up."

Ghafoor was arrested at the gate of HMP Haverigg upon his release two months ago.

A psychiatric assessment ruled out mental illness.

Ghafoor, of Southampton, Hampshire, was charged with one count of making threats to cause criminal damage.

He pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court in April this year and the case was committed to the Old Bailey.

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith sentenced him to 12 months in prison.