Incel Schoolboy Faces Jail After Pleading Guilty to Terrorist Offences
A frustrated teenager who identified with the 'incel' online subculture has admitted to possessing bomb-making videos and stalking multiple victims after threatening to launch a Valentine's Day massacre. Dihan Rahman, 19, from Uxbridge in West London, now faces a significant prison sentence following his guilty plea at the Old Bailey.
Systematic Stalking Campaign Against Young Women
The court heard how Rahman began stalking a girl he had befriended at a London army cadet centre after she rejected his romantic advances. He also targeted her friend, whom he accused of 'c*ck blocking,' and a teacher at his school who intervened to protect the girls. Despite multiple police warnings and bail conditions, Rahman continued his harassment campaign against all three victims.
Prosecutor Serena Gates detailed how Rahman's behaviour escalated dramatically after the initial rejection. What began as typical teenage communication through social media apps transformed into abusive messaging and threats when the girls made clear they only wanted friendship.
Extreme Ideologies and Disturbing Materials
Investigators discovered Rahman had embraced multiple extreme ideologies, including right-wing extremism, Islamic extremism, incel ideology, and violent misogyny. His devices contained Nazi material, pro-ISIS content, and graphic images of women being strangled and mutilated.
Among the most concerning findings were:
- Videos titled 'How to make bomb in your mum's kitchen' and 'PVC pipebomb tutorial'
- Images of Rahman giving Nazi salutes while wearing military fatigues
- Photographs showing him holding a noose made from green cord
- A notebook labeled 'Dihan's socialist diary' containing bomb-making chemical formulas
- Material supporting Hamas and the October 7 attacks on Israel
Escalating Threats and Harassment
Rahman's campaign intensified around Valentine's Day 2024 when he messaged one victim saying 'Goodbye r****d' and 'u starting it b****.' After being blocked on various platforms, he began 'spamming' her old social media accounts with late-night messages.
He later discovered the venue for the girls' prom at Perivale Golf Course and sent threatening images, including one of a Nazi soldier with a gun, stating he was ready to 'ruin Prom.' This forced organizers to relocate the event for safety reasons.
Doxing Campaign and Continued Defiance
Despite being arrested and released with conditions, Rahman continued his harassment by releasing 'doxing' documents online. These contained personal information about the girls, their families, and social media accounts, falsely claiming they were 'a danger to men.' He also included details about the teacher who had tried to help them.
Even while remanded at Wormwood Scrubs jail, Rahman sent a letter to cadet headquarters complaining about his treatment and referencing 'women privilege,' stating defiantly: 'Even a conviction won't stop me.'
Complex Extremist Affiliations
The case revealed Rahman's involvement with multiple extremist groups. He served as an administrator for the far-right Telegram group Sturmjager Division, which attracts young members inspired by mass killers. Prosecutors noted this represented one of the first known cases where extremists found 'common ground' over their hatred of Jewish people, with Rahman possessing material stating 'Women are worse than Jews.'
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Rahman initially denied possessing bomb-making documents, including instructions similar to those used by the Manchester Arena bomber, but changed his plea on the second day of his trial. He ultimately pleaded guilty to possessing two videos and one document useful for terrorism purposes, along with stalking charges against the two teenage girls and their teacher.
Judge Simon Mayo KC described the offences as 'very serious' and requiring 'appropriate punishment.' Rahman, who was diagnosed with autism and had been under the care of neurodiversity specialists Healios, has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on May 6, 2025.
Police Response and Warning Signs
Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan of Counter-Terrorism Policing London praised the victims' courage and highlighted the concerning trend of young people being radicalized online. She emphasized the importance of early intervention, stating: 'This case shows why it is so crucial for those who are looking after children and young people to be aware of the signs that could indicate someone is on a path towards radicalisation.'
The prosecution noted that Rahman's teachers played a crucial role in alerting authorities after noticing concerning changes in his behavior, ultimately enabling police intervention before more serious harm could occur.
