A 16-year-old schoolboy, described as 'filled with hate and racism', has gone on trial accused of preparing a far-right terrorist attack and amassing an arsenal of weapons including a shotgun and explosives, a court heard.
An Arsenal of Hate Uncovered
Leeds Crown Court was told that police raided the remote Northumberland cottage the teenager shared with his father on 20 February last year. Inside his bedroom, officers discovered white supremacist flags adorning the walls alongside a chilling collection of weaponry. This included knives, crossbows, and nails intended for use in a bomb.
Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told the jury: "In short they found an arsenal, one worthy of any young right-wing terrorist." She stated that the defendant, who cannot be named due to his age, "wanted to be a terrorist" and believed in white supremacy and a race war.
Diary of Extremism and Target Research
The prosecution alleged the youth spent extensive time online, developing a "hatred of Jews, of black people, of anyone who didn't conform to his racial ideals." This was documented in a personal diary where he expressed a desire to launch terrorist attacks against black people and homosexuals.
His alleged radicalisation was detailed and methodical. The court heard that on 30 January 2023, shortly after turning 13, he wrote a list ranking white supremacist killers, placing Anders Breivik at the top. By May 2023, he was sketching plans for bombs and weapons, annotating them with swastikas.
Matters escalated significantly by August 2023. The boy allegedly wrote: "I don't want to survive this... the reason for this is to inspire others... and also to start a race war." He also purchased a crossbow and practised using it.
Path to Violence and Alleged Terror Group Membership
The prosecution claims the teenager joined the banned neo-Nazi paramilitary group 'The Base', which encourages acts of violence to ignite a race war. He allegedly plastered the group's recruitment stickers around his village.
His preparations allegedly became more concrete in late 2024. Key actions presented to the court include:
- On 1 December 2024, writing online: "I have always admired Hitler."
- Purchasing potassium nitrate powder on 22 December and watching videos on making explosives.
- On 29 December, researching Brenton Tarrant, the Christchurch mosque attacker, before immediately searching for local synagogues, including the Newcastle Reform Synagogue.
- Searching for homemade ammunition and 3D-printed firearms on New Year's Eve.
Ms Heeley said: "The nature of the searches tells you everything you need to know... he was gathering weapons and identifying targets. He was preparing for acts of terrorism." She concluded these were not empty words but the plans of a boy who idolised previous attackers.
The teenager denies all charges, which include:
- Preparing acts of terrorism.
- Membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation (The Base).
- Possession and dissemination of terrorist documents.
The trial at Leeds Crown Court continues.
