A Manchester man who plotted a terrorist attack against members of the city's Jewish community has been sentenced to 16 years in prison at Manchester Crown Court.
Bradley Gallant, 26, was found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism after developing a detailed plan inspired by Islamic State propaganda. The court heard how Gallant had conducted reconnaissance on Jewish community locations and planned to use weapons including knives and a shotgun in his attack.
BBC Interview Revelation
The plot came to light after Gallant gave an interview to BBC North West Tonight in 2022, where he made concerning statements about his extremist views. Following the broadcast, multiple viewers contacted authorities with concerns about his behaviour and intentions.
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Meeks of Counter Terrorism Policing North West stated: "This was a serious plot that could have resulted in loss of life and significant harm to Manchester's Jewish community. Gallant had moved from extremist rhetoric to concrete planning."
Evidence of Preparation
During the investigation, police uncovered:
- Detailed reconnaissance of Jewish community locations
- Research into acquiring firearms and other weapons
- Extensive Islamic State propaganda consumption
- Communications indicating his attack planning
Gallant had become increasingly radicalised through online content and had expressed admiration for previous terrorist attacks in the UK and abroad.
Community Response
Jewish community leaders in Manchester have welcomed the sentence while emphasising the importance of continued vigilance. Greater Manchester Police has reassured the community that additional security measures remain in place around Jewish institutions.
The case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating homegrown terrorism and the importance of community reporting in preventing potential attacks.
