Brustholm Ziamani (pictured), 20, was said to be ‘within hours’ of executing his murder plan with a hammer and a 12 inch knife when he was arrested

A Muslim convert who was jailed for 22 years for plotting a Lee Rigby-style beheading has had his sentence slashed by three years because a judge felt he was too young to serve such a length.

Brustholm Ziamani, 20, was said to be ‘within hours’ of executing his murder plan with a hammer and a 12 inch knife when he was arrested in east London on August 19, 2014.

After being hauled to jail he told a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth he intended to pose with the soldier’s decapitated head – his ‘trophy’ – in one hand and an Islamic flag in the other.

The extremist, who was groomed by members of a radical Islamic organisation, had researched the locations of Army cadet bases in south east London – as well as detailed information about Lee Rigby’s killing.

When police searched Ziamani’s house during an unrelated investigation in June 2014, they found handwritten notes vowing that ‘British soldiers’ heads will be removed’ as he ‘[waged] war against the British Government’.

Another note stated: ‘We should do a 9/11 and a 7/7 and Woolwich all in one day every day for eight years.’

Judge Timothy Pontius jailed Ziamani for 22 years with an extended licence period of five years at the Old Bailey last March after he was convicted of preparing an act of terrorism.

But the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Sir John Thomas, today reduced that custodial sentence to 19 years at the Court of Appeal on the basis of sentencing guidance under section five of The Terrorism Act.

Referring to Ziamani’s punishment, he said: ‘This offending was towards the very top end of the scale for offences under section five [of the Terrorism Act] but, given his youth, we consider that the custodial part of the sentence, namely 22 years, was too long.’