A white British schoolboy from Wakefield was sentenced to a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order and a 12-month Youth Rehabilitation Order after being radicalised online and sharing recipes for making bombs. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, was 14 when he was arrested in November 2023 following an intelligence-led investigation into his online activity.
Extremist views and bomb-making obsession
The boy openly shared racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic views in online forums, where he also expressed a desire to join Islamic State and make explosives. Detectives found he had stored and shared terrorist material, including recipes for viable home-made explosives and footage of a mass shooting in the United States.
In September 2024, he was charged with three offences of possessing information useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism and one offence of disseminating terrorist publications. He pleaded guilty to these offences on the basis of recklessness in May this year.
Sentencing and counter terror warnings
At his sentencing on Wednesday, a forfeiture order for three digital devices and a quantity of cannabis was imposed, and he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge. Counter terror police said the case highlighted the dangers of anyone being radicalised online.
Supt Matthew Davison, head of prevent and interventions at Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “The number of young people in our case load continues to increase, fuelled by the volume of hate-filled propaganda that is readily available online.
“It is concerning to see someone’s views and behaviour escalate in this way. He was developing a library of terrorist publications, which he regularly shared with others. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of some very disturbing material and enough information to make his own explosives.
“It is important that young people understand the consequences of their online activity. Seeking and sharing harmful content has serious implications for their future, and in the wrong hands, it could also pose a threat to the safety of others.
“Friends and family play an important role in steering loved ones away from extremism and criminality before they go too far.”
If you’re worried that someone is being negatively influenced online, or is developing extreme views, visit the ACT Early website or call the Act Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764.
