A Manchester man who made a terrifying threat to massacre worshippers at a city synagogue has been sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars under terrorism legislation.
Michael Styczynski, 36, pleaded guilty to two counts of dissemination of a terrorist publication after making the chilling call to the Manchester Jewish Community Security Group in October 2023.
The Chilling Threat
During the phone call that sparked major security alerts, Styczynski declared his intention to 'kill everyone' at a Manchester synagogue and made reference to using firearms in his planned attack.
Prosecutor Rob Hall told Manchester Crown Court that the defendant 'expressed an intention to attack a synagogue in Manchester' during the alarming communication.
Counter-Terrorism Response
The case was immediately treated as a counter-terrorism matter, with Detective Superintendent William Chatterton of Counter Terrorism Policing North West stating: 'This was an extremely concerning incident which saw Styczynski make a series of threats towards a synagogue in Manchester.'
He emphasized that 'threats of this nature are always treated extremely seriously' by counter-terrorism units and partners across the policing network.
Previous Violent Threats
The court heard that this wasn't Styczynski's first offence involving threats of violence. In 2021, he received a community order for threatening to blow up a GP surgery.
Judge Nicholas Dean KC, the Recorder of Manchester, highlighted the defendant's history of making threats to kill while passing sentence at Manchester Crown Court.
Community Impact
The threat caused significant alarm within Manchester's Jewish community, with security measures at synagogues and Jewish institutions across the city being immediately reviewed and strengthened.
Detective Superintendent Chatterton acknowledged the impact on the community, noting that officers had worked closely with community representatives throughout the investigation.
Styczynski, of no fixed abode but previously living in Manchester, will now serve his sentence in a Category B prison facility.
