A teenage neo-Nazi who described himself as a 'big fan of Hitler' attempted to purchase a Glock pistol and conducted experiments creating homemade explosives in his bedroom, a court has heard.
Extremist Ideology and Terror Glorification
Rex Clark, aged 19 from east London, expressed desires to kill Muslims and black people while viewing Adolf Hitler as a 'Jesus-type messiah figure', prosecutors revealed during the opening of his trial at Kingston Crown Court. The teenager stands accused of attempting to acquire a handgun and distributing terrorist material online that celebrated notorious right-wing attackers including Anders Breivik, Brenton Tarrant, and Stephan Balliet.
Prosecutor Louis Mably KC informed jurors that Clark, who was between 17 and 18 years old during the alleged offences spanning October 2023 to summer 2024, shared his 'extreme right-wing interests' with his girlfriend Sofija Vinogradova. "The two of them would discuss their ideology, their ideas, and in this way seemed to spur each other on," Mr Mably told the court.
Bedroom Bomb Experiments and Firearm Plot
During police searches of Clark's Ilford residence, officers discovered what appeared to be components for improvised explosive devices that the defendant had been preparing within his bedroom. "He experimented with making parts of explosive devices - in other words, experimented with making parts for homemade bombs," Mr Mably stated, though he clarified that no actual explosive material was present and the devices weren't capable of detonation.
The court heard that Clark and his girlfriend attempted to purchase a handgun online, though the prosecutor suggested they may have fallen victim to a scam. While Vinogradova reportedly considered using the weapon for suicide, Clark demonstrated significant enthusiasm for obtaining and firing the gun himself.
Online Terror Propaganda Distribution
Clark allegedly published numerous extremist videos on platforms including Vidlii and Telegram group chats. Among the disturbing content was a music video titled 'I hate n******' and edited footage glorifying Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people during two terrorist attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011.
Another video distributed by Clark, named 'Brenton Tarrant, Stephan Balliet and Anders Breivik Night Core Edit', celebrated multiple terrorists. Tarrant murdered 51 people during mosque attacks in New Zealand in 2019, while Balliet conducted a mass shooting targeting Jews at a German synagogue that same year, killing two people.
Mr Mably emphasised to jurors that while people maintain the freedom to watch such material and hold extreme views, English law prohibits distributing terrorist publications that could encourage others. "He went beyond talking rubbish on the internet, and what he did was distribute material that glorified terrorism, with the intention of giving encouragement to others, or running the risk of encouragement," the prosecutor concluded.
Clark denies one count of attempting to purchase a firearm and six counts of disseminating terrorist publications. His girlfriend, Sofija Vinogradova, aged 20, has already pleaded guilty to the attempted gun purchase. The trial continues at Kingston Crown Court.
