A jihadi who called himself The Eagle and plotted to murder around 100 people outside a Disney store on London's Oxford Street has been jailed for life.

Muslim convert Lewis Ludlow will serve a minimum of 15 years after he filmed himself swearing allegiance to Islamic State in the run up to his planned attack, which would have seen him drive a van into crowds of shoppers.

The 27-year-old was arrested after police raided his home in Warren Wood Road in Rochester in April last year.

In the two-minute clip declaring his allegiance to Isis, which can be viewed below, he says: "This is an introduction, I am The Eagle."

He adds: "There is nothing between us but animosity and hatred. Therefore I pledge allegiance to Islamic State, we love death as much as you love life.

"I have nothing for this country of Britain. I spit on your citizenship, your passport, you can go to hell with that."

Another clip, filmed during police interview, shows Ludlow appearing upset as he is shown the footage.

He's asked if he is OK, to which he replies that he is, but after the clip has ended asks to take a break.

Lewis Ludlow has been sentenced for plotting acts of terrorism

Lewis Ludlow declares his allegiance to Isis

Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said: "In my judgement the pledges you made showed how determined you were [to undertake an attack].”

Speaking before today's sentencing, which was delayed in November after the court heard he might be depressed, head of counter terrorism policing in the south east Detective Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes said she had "absolutely no doubt" he would have followed through with his plans.

Thankfully security services were alerted to him before he could act.

A member of the public first reporting concerns about his behaviour in 2010.

"That's absolutely where we want to be in terms of community," DCS Barnes told KMTV.

She added: "It was quite a long time ago but that first report has helped save lives."

Lewis Ludlow is filmed reacting to the video showing him pledging allegiance to Islamic State

She described him as a "self convert", someone who spent hours in his bedroom with only the internet for company but who gradually began to view things that were "really, really dreadful".

She said: "It's another form of grooming. These people prey on vulnerable individuals and desensitise them to horrific acts of violence."

But despite the tip off and the fact Ludlow, who called himself Ali Hussein, was arrested in 2015 and found to be in possession of Isis material he was released without charge.

At the time of his arrest Ludlow was under 24-hour surveillance.

He had previously been on marches led by hate preacher Anjem Choudary and had been seen with him and Lee Rigby's killer Michael Adebowale.

Lewis Ludlow is interrogated by officers

Police searched Ludlow's house last April

His behaviour escalated in January, she explained, after he was stopped from travelling to Zamboanga, a city on the southern peninsula of the Philippines.

The region, described as "a very unusual place for a young man to want to travel, has a heavy Isis presence.

He claimed he was a sex tourist but his passport was taken away and it was later discovered he'd been in contact with recruiter Abu Yaqueen.

After he was stopped from travelling Ludlow began researching targets including St Paul's Cathedral, the Disney Store and Madam Tussauds, and also looked into the cost of hiring a van, something DCS Barnes said was "extremely out of character".

He then wrote down his intentions in a letter, which was found ripped up in a bin.

Ludlow was charged with two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism and arranging funds or property for the purposes of terrorism after being arrested at his home on Wednesday, April 18.

He appeared at the Old Bailey in August and pleaded guilty to one act of preparation and the funding charge. The other charge will remain on file.

Detective Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes, head of CTPSE, said: “Ludlow was planning an attack in the UK after swearing an oath of allegiance to Daesh, and he had gone as far as writing out attack plans and conducting reconnaissance of potential targets.

“We have dedicated units across the country who accept the extraordinary challenge of keeping the public safe from terrorist attacks. I have no doubt that Ludlow was fully intent on committing a serious violent act in the name of Daesh’s twisted ideology, and it is testament to the hard work of all involved that he has been jailed.

“Although this attack was foiled, we continue to work tirelessly to ensure that offenders such as Ludlow are brought to justice before they can commit their violent intentions.”

You can report any suspicious behaviour or activity in confidence on 0800 789 321, at gov.uk/ACT/ or by calling 999 in an emergency.