A member of the so-called Islamic State terror cell known as The Beatles has been jailed for life after being convicted for his role in the murder of hostages in Syria.
El Shafee Elsheikh, 34, who grew up in London, showed no emotion as judge Thomas Selby Ellis delivered his verdict at Alexandria District Court, Virginia, while members of his victims' families watched on.
Elsheikh was given a life sentence for each of the eight counts he was convicted of in April, which are due to run concurrently. The group's victims included Aid worker David Haines, from Perthshire.
David was 44 years old when he was abducted and murdered while in Syria in 2013. His older brother Mike, an RAF veteran and former mental health nurse from Dundee, today gave his thoughts on the sentence, saying he offered Elsheikh "his forgiveness".
Mike said: “Today’s judgement provides another victory for humanity over the hateful ideologies of extremism. While the verdict provides no consolation for David’s life, it sends a powerful message to those tempted to follow the same destructive path.
“I continue to stand by the words I delivered in April. The actions of these men caused untold damage to so many, not least my brother David, but I will not allow it consume me.
"I offer Elsheikh my forgiveness, and I sincerely hope that he uses his time in incarceration to recognise the pain he has inflicted.
“I will continue to dedicate my life to honouring my brother David through my anti-extremism charity Global Acts of Unity. Only through tolerance, compassion and understanding can we reject hatred that seeks to divide us.
“Finally, thank you to the US and UK authorities. Justice is served once again, and my family and I can finally move closer to peace.”
After a six-week trial in April and hours of deliberation, the jury concluded that Elsheikh was part of an Islamic State cell, nicknamed "The Beatles" for their English accents, that beheaded American hostages in Iraq and Syria.
Judge Ellis described his actions as "horrific, barbaric, brutal and callous".
Addressing the jihadist, Judge Ellis said: "The behaviour of this defendant and his co-defendant can only be described as horrific barbaric, brutal and callous.
"This is a significant episode in the history of our country and our justice system."
Speaking with reporters following the sentencing, the mother of murdered American journalist Jamie Foley, Diane Foley, said: "Let this sentencing make clear to all who dare to kidnap, torture or kill any American citizen abroad that U.S. justice will find you wherever you are, and that our government will hold you accountable for your crimes against our citizens."
Raj Parekh, representing the families, said Elsheikh - known to prosecutors as "Ringo" - remained "defiantly remorseless and unrepentant".
He noted that the jihadist had made no effort to meet victims' families, like his co-defendant Alexanda Kotey.
Mr Parekh said victims had described members of The Beatles as "genuine psychopaths without any moral values" and finished by reading portions of the final notes written by hostages to their families before their deaths.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
- Scots nurse's car 'firebombed' amidst fears of targeted attack
- Homeowner shows off 'ultimate revenge' after neighbour builds fence through garden
- Female prisoner dies while being held in custody at Scots jail
- Inside ex-Rangers owner Craig Whyte's former Highland castle as it's sold for £1m
- Fire rips through derelict Fife hotel as locals are evacuated from area
