A HAMPSHIRE man travelled to Syria to join a terrorist training camp, a court heard today.

Mashudur Choudhury, 31, is accused of going to the Middle Eastern country to undertake training in terrorism on or before October 25.

Alison Morgan, prosecuting, told the jury at Kingston Crown Court, south-west London: ''The prosecution alleges in this case that the evidence clearly shows that this defendant planned for and then travelled to Syria with the intention of attending a training camp.

''The training was to include the use of firearms and the purpose of fighting was to pursue a political, religious or ideological cause.

''At times in his discussions with others the defendant described his intention to become a martyr.''

Ms Morgan told the court about text messages sent between Choudhury and his wife.

In one message, she wrote: ''Go die in battlefield. Go die, I really mean it just go. I'll be relieved. At last. At last.''

Father-of-two Choudhury, of Stubbington Avenue, Portsmouth, wore a white shirt and grey trousers as he sat in the dock while the prosecutor opened the case against him.

He denies one charge of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts.

The trial is expected to last around two weeks.