A failed asylum seeker is facing jail after being found guilty of hoarding information about setting up terror cells.

In a chilling echo of last week's attempted bombings in Glasgow and London, nightclubs and airports were among "suitable targets" identified in the "vast library" of terror material found on the computer of Omar Altimimi.

The 37-year-old Dutch national, who had links to Arab terrorists, had collected detailed information on how to set up terror cells in the UK, ways to make explosives, and how car bombs can be detonated at the entrances to buildings via remote control.

Detectives believe that like the suspects involved in last week's incidents, he came to the UK aiming to "blend in" as a "sleeper" - lurking in the shadows until the right time to strike.

Described by security sources as a "clean skin" with no known terrorist links - perfect material for al Qaeda-inspired terror groups - Altimimi applied for jobs with the police and as a teacher.

However, he had links with Arab terror cells in Europe, kept up multiple identities to cover his tracks and hoarded files on his home computer detailing how to plan and carry out jihadi terror.

The father-of-three, from Bolton, Lancashire, was found guilty of four counts of possessing material for the purpose of terrorism on Wednesday following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Yesterday he was convicted of two more charges of possession of material for a purpose connected with terrorism and two charges of money laundering.

He denied all knowledge of the material found on his computer and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. All the offences took place between February and June last year.

The court heard how Altimimi was linked to terrorists in Holland and to Junade Ferouze, 31, from Blackburn, also Lancashire, who was jailed last month for 22 years for his part in bomb plots led by Dhiren Barot, named as al Qaeda's "general" in the UK.

Altimimi kept up at least three parallel identities. He claimed to be an Iraqi brought up in the Yemen. Even today police still do not know his real identity.

He came to the UK from the Netherlands in 2002 claiming asylum for himself, wife, Samahir Alazzeh, and three young children.

He claimed benefits, including more than £100,000 from the National Asylum Support Service, while applying for jobs with Greater Manchester Police and a local college.

He was arrested in March last year on suspicion of money laundering after £27,000 was stolen from the Yemen Tourist Board.

Altimimi was arrested on suspicion of money laundering on March 24 last year at the Nationwide Building Society in Bolton, alongside Yusuf Abdullah, 30. When Altimimi tried to withdraw £3000 transferred to him by Abdullah, police were waiting.

Detectives searched two homes Altimimi kept in Bolton and seized his computer where they found masses of terror related material including instructions for making bombs, detonators and explosives as well as information on bombing strategies.

He also had video clips of "graphic and appalling" executions of hostages in Iraq.

Abdullah had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering offences.

According to police Altimimi was a "congenital liar" whose English is excellent until he is questioned.