Teenager with extreme right-wing views found guilty of planning terror attack

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, was 15 when he conducted a scouting trip on a mosque in Keighley, West Yorkshire, after stealing his father’s Lexus car and then crashing it into a fence, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors said the boy, who lived near Bradford, held extreme right-wing views and had shown support for international terrorists such as Brenton Tarrant, who filmed himself as he shot 51 people in two mosques in New Zealand in 2019.

Jurors were shown a pictogram drawn by the boy in a notebook manifesto which shows a stickman surrounded by a swastika and an SS symbol as well as the names of some of the most notorious killers of recent years.

Police said he had a settled plan to conduct his own extreme right-wing inspired attack in the summer of 2022.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East (CTP NE) confirmed that the teenager was found guilty of one offence of preparing acts of terrorism on Thursday after a three-week-long trial.

He had already admitted five other terrorism offences and possessing a bladed article.

The teenager will be sentenced at a date to be fixed.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of CPT NE, said: “Today’s verdict follows a thorough and comprehensive investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

“We are satisfied this individual acted in isolation and responded swiftly to prevent this escalating further.

“We’d like to reassure the public that there is no specific or increased threat to local communities as a result of this case.”

Mr Dunkerley said: “It can be hard to know what to do and who to turn to when a person you know is voicing concerning opinions. Maybe they are showing anger towards a particular group of people or an obsessive desire for ‘something to be done’.

“We want you to know that support is out there both for you and those you are worried about.”

Chief Superintendent Rob McCoubrey, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We recognise that the details of this case will cause understandable concern, particularly for those from our Muslim communities.

“Officers from our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will continue to be visible locally and will be on hand to speak to people regarding any concerns they may have.

“We work closely with Counter Terrorism Policing North East and our partners to act on any information that indicates a potential threat to our communities.”

Both officers urged anyone with concerns to call police on 0800 789321.