Counter Terrorism Policing North East has issued a warning after the Stockton teen was sentenced

A teenage boy has pleaded guilty to terrorism offences after he was caught with extreme right wing material.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East has urged people to be aware of the dangers young people can face online after the Teesside 16-year-old was slapped with a three-year Youth Rehabilitation Order and a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

The Stockton teen admitting possessing extreme right wing material and distributing content to others on social media platforms.

Following his arrest in December 2023, the defendant was charged with the below offences in March:

Five offences under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 – possession of terrorist material
Three offences under Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006 – dissemination of terrorist material
One offence under Section 1 Criminal Damage Act 1971
One offence under Section 30 Crime and Disorder Act 1988

He pleaded guilty to all offences at an earlier hearing and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East want to remind people that it is increasingly important to know what to look out for and how to protect their loved ones.

A spokesperson said: “Exposure to extremist content and groups online can lead them down a dangerous path. The ACT Early website provides information about signs to look out for when someone may be getting drawn into extremism and online security. The site also signposts people to support, who to contact if you are worried about a loved one and what help is out there.

“Research shows that family and friends are best placed to spot the signs that someone might be vulnerable to radicalisation. If you’re concerned someone close might be being targeted, then act early and share your concerns so the person can get the support they need.”

Gazette Live

A 23-year-old man who admitted raping a 14-year-old girl in a night-time attack in a Malvern alleyway has been warned he is facing a long prison sentence.

Daniel Hughes failed to appear for a trial at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday and was found at an address in Ludlow. Hughes, of Cromwell Road, Dorchester, who has previously lived in Worcester and Malvern, changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before the court on Wednesday.

He admitted raping the girl in Malvern at around 10.30pm on February 13 last year.

Judge Robert Juckes told him he will be facing a long prison term when he appears for sentencing on September 16. A pre-sentence report was ordered and he was remanded in custody.

Malvern Gazette

From 2011

A far-right extremist has been jailed for two years after breaching government measures for monitoring suspected terrorists.

The defendant, who can only be referred to as LXB, was subject to strict measures controlling his electronic communication in 2022 after being convicted of possessing material likely to be used for a terrorist purpose.

Leeds Crown Court heard he had also previously made threats to kill a Jewish MP, and had another conviction for making explosives.

The man, in his 20s, pleaded guilty to four counts of contravening a Tpim (Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures) order, which allows the authorities to monitor suspected terrorists who are not subject to criminal charges.

LXB is believed to have been the first suspected far-right extremist to be made subject to a Tpim since the powers were introduced in 2011, with all previous subjects being suspected Islamic extremists.

On Tuesday Judge Tom Bayliss KC sentenced LXB to two years in prison, with a further year on licence.

The court heard police attended his home in June last year after he tried to set up a bank account on a device that was not known to them.

During a search officers found a GoPro camera and a memory card which the defendant was not allowed to have without Home Office approval.

The memory card contained a video LXB appeared to have made trying to inform others of his Tpim and what it was like to live under one.

He was also found to have made hundreds of internet searches in breach of his restrictions, and deleted his internet history.
‘Overly onerous’

The court heard he had used the search bar of the Guardian website to make Google searches to get around the blocking software that would have prevented the searches on his Home Office-approved laptop.

He was found to have made searches relating to Andrew Tate, the Bristol bus boycott and “the science of terrorism”, the court was told.

In his police interview LXB said he was challenging the Tpim restrictions in the High Court, claiming they were “overly onerous” and “designed to cause me to breach the order and criminalise me”.

He told officers he had received the camera for his birthday and attempted to notify the Home Office.

In mitigation, the court heard LXB was a “lonely, isolated person” and the Tpim order made it hard for him to form friendships.

BBC News

Nazi fantasist joined Hitler groups and had bomb guides

A NAZI fantasist locked up for child sex crimes is facing further jail time after admitting at Greenock Sheriff Court to a series of terrorism-related offences including possessing guides on how to make explosives.

Axl Scott – described by his own defence advocate as ‘a very odd young man’ – was found with a blank firing pistol, a stun gun and smoke grenades in his home.

Scott also had photo and video instructions for the production of thermite, napalm, Molotov cocktails and RDX – a key chemical component of C-4.

The court heard how the 22-year-old joined several far-right extremist chat groups online, named after racist and anti-Semitic leaders and ideologies.

He sent pictures of himself wearing a swastika armband and making a Hitler salute – despite having Jewish relatives.

Communicating with other users on instant messaging apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp and Telegram, Scott spoke of ‘blowing up generators’ to cause power outages, while a 3D printer – which can be used to create firearms – was discovered in his bedroom during a police raid.

However, a Crown prosecutor told the court that ‘there was never any intelligence suggesting that he was going to carry out any sort of attack’.

Scott, who was imprisoned last week for multiple sexual assaults against young girls, pleaded guilty to seven of 18 indictment charges, most of which related to Terrorism Act offences.

The court heard that one of the child witnesses in the sex offences case referred to Scott during police interviews as a ‘Heil Hitler type of person’ who had a number of weapons in his house including knives and guns.

He was arrested regarding the other matter in August 2022 and subsequent searches of his property uncovered a haul of indecent material.

Between February 2021 and July 2022, he had photos on his mobile phone containing instructions on how to make improvised incendiary and explosive devices, as well as videos with manufacturing tips for the highly flammable napalm and thermite.

Scott, originally from Norfolk in England, sent a racist message to an online ‘friend’ and sent further messages of an anti-Semitic and pro national socialist nature, the court was told.

During interviews with police, a ‘clearly upset’ Scott ‘spoke freely’ but repeatedly cried and told officers that he did not want to go back to Polmont Young Offenders Institution.

He used the picture messaging app Snapchat and also communicated via the encrypted Telegram platform, on which he had several group chats named after extreme right-wing leaders and ideologies such as ‘Britain First’, ‘Inside the Third Reich’, ‘Adolf Hitler’s Art Gallery’ and ‘The Reich Way’.

He said he had met people online and initially he was aligned with communism but became disillusioned with right-wing fanatics and ‘kept their messages for evidence’, claiming he was trying to infiltrate the groups and better understand the thinking of fellow members.

The fiscal depute said that during one police interview, Scott shouted that he would ‘rather die than go back to Polmont’.

Defence advocate Joseph Barr told the court that his client was ‘a very odd young man’ who was ‘socially inadequate’ and had ‘flip-flapped from communism to far-right extremism’.

Mr Barr added: “He is a fantasist in relation to all of this.

“A young man looking for online company and friends, someone who wouldn’t make offline friends very easily.

“He has Jewish relations and is not anti-Semitic. These are not views that he holds at all.

“There is no evidence that he was going to do any of these things.”

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan granted a Crown motion for forfeiture of several dozen rounds of ammunition, fired and unfired, blank firearms and a 3D printer recovered from Scott’s bedroom.

Mr Barr said that his efforts to secure a psychological assessment for his client had so far been in vain.

Sheriff McGeehan deferred sentence on Scott, whose address was not given in court, until July 5 for the preparation of background reports.

Greenock Telegraph

Axl Scott was sentenced to 18-months after he pleaded guilty to five contraventions of the Terrorism Act

A Scots man has been jailed after pleading guilty to terrorism charges.

Axl Scott, 22, was sentenced to 18 months in Greenock today, Friday, July 5. The ‘right-wing’ extremist pleaded guilty to five contraventions of the Terrorism Act 2000 and possession of a Taser device in May of this year.

In July 2021, cops were conducting inquiries at an address in Ardentinny, near Dunoon, when Scott’s terrorism-related offences were uncovered.

During a search of the property, officers found extremist material and the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit (OCCTU), where immediately called in to assist in the probe.

Several items, including documents on how to construct explosive devices, along with a video of a terrorist act were seized by cops. Digital devices containing Telegram conversations of extreme right-wing subjects were recovered along with the Taser.

Detective Superintendent Stephen Clark said: “A team of officers worked consistently to build a clear picture of Scott’s activities and crimes. The evidence uncovered clearly showed his extreme right-wing ideology and terrorist intentions. He now faces the consequences of the serious nature of his crimes.

“These types of crimes can cause concern in our local communities and while they are rare, they do remind us of the need to be vigilant. If you see or hear something suspicious or think that someone may be involved in terrorism activity, please act by reporting it to Police Scotland through 101. In an emergency dial 999. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Daily Record

Mason Maxwell (16/07/1989) of no fixed abode, who previously went by the name ‘Kane Hutchinson’, has been jailed for three years following an investigation by our Stockport Complex Safeguarding Team.

Originally from Gateshead, Hutchinson changed his name by deed poll, and moved to Greater Manchester where he continued his offending against children.

Following an extensive investigation by specialist officers in Stockport, Maxwell pleaded guilty to one count of taking an indecent video of a child, three counts of taking indecent images of a child, two counts of making an indecent image of a child, and three counts of distributing an indecent image of a child.

Yesterday (Wednesday Monday 24 June), he appeared at Minshull Crown Court where he was sentenced to three years in jail. He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life and he is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

In 2021, following a piece of intelligence from the community, Stockport Complex Safeguarding Team launched an investigation into Maxwell and work began to identify if any young people had been affected by Maxwell’s alleged offending.

On Thursday 6 January 2022, officers executed a warrant at Maxwell’s address on Clowes Street in Salford and seized several crucial electrical devices.

A full digital examination of the devices revealed indecent images and video of children. He was then sharing these images and bragging about his deplorable illicit sexual endeavours to whoever would listen.

Detective Constable Ben Swapp from Stockport’s Complex Safeguarding Hub said: “Maxwell is a calculated and depraved individual who took extraordinary measures to change his name so that he could continue offending in a new location, preying on vulnerable young people.

“Throughout his interview, Maxwell denied all allegations and had endless excuses for his predatory behaviour. He showed no remorse for his actions, refusing to consider the effect his deplorable behaviour had on the young victims and their families.

“I would encourage anyone who has been affected by this case or believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse, please come forward and report this to us. We have specially trained officers and partners who will support you and ensure you get the help and care you need.”
GMP

James Malcolm, 24, messaged Shaunie Carrick, 18, and another teenage girl, and the Snapchat texts included a reference to the KKK.He also made comments to police about “white power”

A stalker with an ‘interest’ in the KKK who tried to keep tabs on a teenage girl to stop her seeing black people has avoided jail.

James Malcolm, 24, messaged Shaunie Carrick, 18, and another teenage girl between January 2022 and March 2024. The Snapchat texts included a reference to the white supremacist group.

Malcolm also patrolled an area in the north of Glasgow where Miss Carrick stayed in the hope that he would run into her. He later stated he did this to “protect her from mixing with black guys.”

Malcolm, of Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, described to police about “white power” and that there would be “another Rochdale up here.” Malcolm pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a single stalking charge.

Sheriff Joanna McDonald today tagged Malcolm for four months keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am. He was also put under supervision for three years.

The sheriff said: “The social worker took the view that the way to deal with this case was to remit it to a higher court as this court does not have the powers available to it for an appropriate sentence.

“This was not an option to me as the Crown decided to prosecute it in this form despite your criminal record and nature of the offence. I have no powers to impose what would have been appropriate which would have been a significant custodial sentence.

“I must try and impose a sentence to reflect the gravity of the offence which protects the victim and the public from you.”

A five-year non-harassment order was also granted which prohibits Malcolm’s contact with Miss Carrick. The court previously heard that Malcolm initially met Miss Carrick with friends in Glasgow city centre.

The pair also met in later chance occasions. It was stated that there were no romantic or intimate relations between them.

Around March 2023, Malcolm messaged Miss Carrick on social media chat app Snapchat.

Prosecutor Iain Mathieson said: “He sent screenshots pertaining to the KKK and spoke about the five elements. Miss Carrick had no idea what these messages were about.

“She suspected that he wanted to engage in a romantic relationship with her.”

Miss Carrick took screenshots of the messages and blocked Malcolm on social media. Malcolm then contacted another girl who knew Miss Carrick and asked to see her.

He also shouted at the girl and claimed that she was preventing him from seeing Miss Carrick. The girl also took screenshots of messages sent to her by Malcolm.

Malcolm then went to the area in the north of Glasgow where he knew Miss Carrick resided. He came to the attention of police as he had been the victim of an assault.

Malcom was taken to hospital when inquiries were carried out about what happened. He told officers that he was in the area looking for Miss Carrick stating that he was “chasing lassies”.

Mr Mathieson added: “He said he needed to save her from black guys she has been out with. He said that it is another Rochdale up here and that he hoped to bump into Miss Carrick.

“He described white power and that he wanted to protect her from mixing with black guys.”

Malcolm also made racial slurs such as “n*****” and “p***”. Contact was made with Miss Carrick meantime who handed over the screenshots to officers.

Martin Hughes, defending, told the court that his client “has an unhealthy interest in the organisation mentioned in the narrative”.

Glasgow Live

Scott Hughes had been on a three-day drinking binge when he made ‘abhorrent’ threats while in Whitley Bay

A drunk man rang police saying he was a racist and was going to set fire to a mosque and “stab a Muslim in the neck”.

When Scott Hughes contacted Northumbria Police reporting making the stab threat, officers went to a pub in Whitley Bay where they believed him to be. He wasn’t there but police were told a man had been sitting alone in the beer garden in a heavily intoxicated state rambling on the phone.

An officer called the number Hughes had used to contact them and spoke to him. During the call he said “I’m a racist” before saying he was going to “go mental at the metro station”.

He then said “I’m going to go to the f****** west end and burn them out.” Asked who he meant, he said “Muslims” and used a racist term. Asked why, he said: “It’s what I believe in. I’m f****** right wing. I will burn them before they burn us”.

He went on to say the police needed to catch him “before I torch a mosque or something”. The officer made a further 13 calls to him and he would answer briefly before hanging up. He then sent a text to the officer saying “tick tock boom”

Hughes, 40, of no fixed address, was arrested the following day and said he was intoxicated at the time. He pleaded guilty to sending a communication threatening death or serious harm and sending by a public network offensive, indecent or menacing messages.

Recorder Richard Herrmann said it was a hate crime but added: “You profess not to genuinely hold the abhorrent views and intentions your aired in the phone calls. Others say the same about you and you seem to have satisfied the probation officer about that and there’s no other evidence of it.

“You have considerable difficulties and undoubtedly need help.” He was sentenced to four months suspended for 18 months with an alcohol treatment requirement and a mental health treatment requirement, both for nine months.

Mark Harrison, defending, said: “There’s nothing I can say that goes anywhere close to explaining the absolutely disgusting language used by the defendant or the abhorrent views espoused by the defendant, in drink. He has a long-standing history of struggling with the misuse of alcohol and there had been three days of near constant alcohol misuse.

“He had been sat at the pub in floods of tears from time to time. He has almost no recollection about the repugnant language and sentiments expressed during those phone calls.

“The only people the threats were made to were the emergency services. This was a cry for help.”

The Chronicle

Mason Reynolds, 19, from Brighton, had ‘an entrenched and violent neo-Nazi mindset’, a court was told.

A teenage neo-Nazi has been jailed for eight years for creating a detailed plan to carry out a suicide bomb attack on a synagogue because he wanted “to make Jews afraid again”.

Mason Reynolds, 19, from Brighton, was convicted at trial of possession of an article connected with the preparation of an act of terrorism against the synagogue in Hove, East Sussex.

He had also pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, as well as five offences of sharing terrorist publications dating back to when he was aged 16.

The defendant had shared right-wing videos and possessed bomb instruction manuals, Winchester Crown Court heard.

The court was told that Reynolds had annotated a Google street map and satellite image of the synagogue detailing “entry points and points to attack”.

Naomi Parsons, prosecuting, said: “Whilst preparation is described as limited, it is not absent, for Mr Reynolds had a neo-Nazi mindset and he had prepared an extensive library of manuals, explosives manuals, gun-making manuals.”

She added: “There was the potential to endanger many lives, he included references to the days when the the synagogue would be busiest, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Passover.”

Ms Parsons continued: “He had an entrenched and violent neo-Nazi mindset and had expressed an intention to commit terrorist acts – I wanna strap multiple pipe bombs to my chest and blow myself up in a synagogue.

“He knew that those he communicated with shared that mindset.”

Ms Parsons said that Reynolds used the Telegram social media site to encourage others with his “propaganda channel to promote the neo-Nazi agenda” and he posted that he wanted to “make Jews afraid again”.

He also possessed recorded live-streamed videos of mass-murder terrorist attacks including those produced by Brenton Tarrant in Christchurch, New Zealand; and Anders Breivik in Norway, the court heard.

Ms Parsons said: “They are clips from live-streamed attacks and that is the point of them, that’s what makes them so dangerous, they are designed to aid copy-cat attacks.”

He also posted a promotional video for the proscribed, white supremacist, terrorist organisation, Atomwaffen Division, showing a man in a skull mask and combat gear shooting targets.

Reynolds showed no emotion as he was given an extended sentence made up of eight years in custody with a five-year period on licence.

The judge, Mrs Justice May, told him that she considered him as “dangerous” and added: “You intended to encourage terrorism, this was propaganda pure and simple.”

Of the terrorist documents kept by Reynolds, she added: “It is a startlingly extensive and concerning collection kept secret from your family and friends but showing how entrenched your interest in far right ideology had become.”

Amy Packham, defending, said that Reynold’s interest in the far right developed during the Covid-19 lockdown and added: “He would never have taken this action into real life, this was all online, behind the barrier of the internet, that is his stated evidence and the view of his family that there is no risk.”

A Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) spokesman said that Reynolds had “praised attacks by far-right terrorists”.

He added: “Reynolds created a note detailing a plan to attack a synagogue in Hove.

“Following a police search of his home, various devices were found which had been used to store or share material, including an iPhone and USB drives.

“He was also found to be the administrator of a Telegram channel which shared far right extremist, anti-Semitic and racist views, as well as manuals on bomb building and how to 3D print firearms.”

Nick Price, Head of the CPS Counter Terrorism and Special Crime Division, said: “Mason Reynolds sought to spread hate and encourage acts of terrorism.

“He not only held neo-Nazi beliefs but wanted to act on them to cause pain and suffering, which fortunately has been prevented and the public protected due to the work of the policing and prosecution team.”
Evening Standard