Man guilty of possessing terror attack documents
A man with “extreme and disturbing far-right beliefs” has been found guilty of collecting instructions on how to make explosives and weapons.
Charles Cannon “talked enthusiastically about stabbing asylum seekers”, a jury at Winchester Crown Court was told.
The 22-year-old, of Aldershot, Hampshire, was convicted of seven counts of possessing documents that could be used to prepare acts of terrorism.
He is due to be sentenced on 2 February.
Ben Isaacs, prosecuting, previously said Cannon was stopped at Luton Airport under terrorism regulations in August 2020.
Guides on making explosives and “booby traps,” as well as instructions on “unconventional warfare devices and techniques”, were found on the defendant’s phone and computer, the court heard.
On social media, Cannon talked about stabbing asylum seekers and advocated “racial holy war”, the jury was told.
Mr Isaacs said: “Mr Cannon is a young man with extreme and disturbing political views.
“He holds far-right beliefs, sympathises with Naziism, fascism. He has offensive things to say about black people, Jews, gay people, women generally and anyone who does not fit in with his extreme view of the world.”
The defendant, who is autistic, told the court he originally downloaded the documents in 2014 when he was 13 years old.
He said he was researching illegal drugs and downloaded a cache of files that included information on explosives and other subjects he was not interested in.
Cannon, of Highfield Avenue, admitted he had previously held “vile and disgusting” views but said his politics changed under the influence of his Brazilian wife who he married a year ago.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East said it was pleased with Cannon’s conviction on all of the charges against him.
Far-Right Criminals 