A PALESTINIAN student gloated after the September 11 terrorist attacks and said he would blow up a UK pub if ordered to do so by the Islamic militant group Hamas, a court was told yesterday.

Adnan Abdelah denies being an active member of the banned military wing of Hamas and of professing his membership of the outlawed extremist group, thought to be behind many of the suicide bombings in Israel.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court was told how the 22-year-old spoke of his support for Osama bin Laden and how he had been trained in terrorist techniques.

Mr Abdelah was arrested after being found at a Tyneside ferry terminal in April last year, having arrived from Norway without any documents or luggage.

He was interviewed by immigration officials and, after claiming political asylum, was granted temporary leave to stay in England.

He was later found a place on a drama and arts course.

He allegedly bragged about his delight at the Twin Towers atrocity and his support for bin Laden while staying in refugee accommodation.

Toby Hedworth, prosecuting, said that while Hamas might claim to have educational, charitable and social purposes, membership of the military side of the organisation was illegal.

He said: ''The defendant said he would kill Israelis wherever he saw them in England and showed great delight in the bombing of the Twin Towers and expressed support of bin Laden.

"Around September 11, he told another resident he would be prepared to take a bomb to a public place in England, such as a pub, and blow it up if he was asked to do so.

"He spoke comfortably about explosives, of killing people and wrapping bombs around his waist."

His behaviour was reported to the authorities and, on December 10, last year, he was arrested.

Mr Abdelah, of Bavington Drive, Fenham, Newcastle, also denies a related charge of witness intimidation centred on a letter he sent to his college lecturer.

The case continues.