An East Ham man appeared in court in Kenya accused of possessing illegal bomb-making material for a Somalian terror group.

Jermaine Grant was arrested in Mombasa on December 19.

The 29-year-old, along with three other men, denies possession of the explosive-making material.

He has already been jailed for one year after he earlier pleaded guilty to entering the country illegally and giving false information.

His family, who live in St Alban’s Avenue, declined to comment on the case. Neighbours said they kept themselves to themselves after moving into the area .

One man said: “They are very private people. The only time you hear from them is when they have their music up loud. No-one really comes out in this area to be honest, I’m not surprised we don’t see them much.”

Another neighbour said Mr Grant lived with his mother and teenage brothers.

The Foreign Office this week updated its advice to people planning on travelling to Kenya, warning against all but essential travel to within 60km of the Somali border.

A spokesman said they had provided consular assistance to a man arrested in Mombasa.

“British counter-terrorism authorities are working closely with Kenyan authorities on the case of a British national arrested in Mombasa. A team from the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command deployed to Kenya in late December to assist the Kenyan authorities with their investigation. They have now returned.”

The investigations are said to concern a plot to kill Western tourists at Christmas. Grant will re-appear in court on February 20.