The Appeal Court has quashed the terror conviction of a student from Southall and four others for downloading extremist material.

At the Court of Appeal, The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips ruled that there was no proof that the students planned to commit an act of terrorism.

They had downloaded extremist material from Jihadist websites. He also said that the prosecution had attempted to use section 57 “for a purpose for which it was not intended”.

Akbar Butt, 21, of Southall, was convicted in July 2007 under section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Also convicted were Mohammed Irfan Raja, 20, of Ilford, and students Awaab Iqbal, 20, and Usman Ahmed Malik, 22, both of Bradford and Aitzaz Zafar, 21, of Rochdale.

Their crime was that they made no attempt to conceal a large collection of pro-jihadi sermons and lectures. The law was designed to catch people holding plans for bombs rather than propaganda. No evidence of any bomb plot was presented.

Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is used as a blunt instrument to prosecute young Muslim men where there is no proof of genuine links to terrorism.

Usman Malik’s solicitor, Saghir Hussein, said: “This is a landmark judgment in a test case over the innocent possession of materials, including books and speech.

“It was very difficult in the current climate for any jury to decide on anything apart from conviction. However, a more detached and informed court has recognised the draconian nature of Sections 57/58.”

“A book about how to make bombs would come under Section 57, not a book that contains ideological material. It's just like reading Mein Kampf does not make you a Nazi."

"Justice has been done. It's restored my faith in the justice system."