Braintree: Man guilty of attempted murder

By
March 7, 2023
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CCTV - a hooded Ryan as he returns to The Lounge

CCTV – a hooded Ryan as he returns to The Lounge

A man has been convicted of attempting to murder a member of security staff outside a venue in Braintree.

Geoffrey Ryan had been drinking in The Lounge, in Market Square, on 9 September 2022 before the incident took place.

The 53-year-old arrived at the venue at about 4pm and initially seemed content.

However, as his drinking continued, he began to cause issues with other customers.

At about 9pm, two members of security staff arrived to start their shift and Ryan soon approached them and abused them.

Soon after, at about 9.30pm, a group of women reported Ryan had been harassing them. Ryan was warned by security staff, and he continued to religiously abuse them.

When he did not stop, he then threw a drink over the victim. Ryan was then escorted out of the venue as he continued to try to assault the door staff.

Despite being told to leave, Ryan continued to abuse the security staff and, after an exchange, he approached the victim, flicked a cigarette at him and threatened to kill him.

A short time later, he left the area and appeared to be walking towards a nearby taxi rank.
‘Response within minutes’

Shortly before 11.30pm, a hooded Ryan returned to the town centre driving a Seat Ibiza and parked in a parent and baby car park in Sainsbury’s.

From there, he walked to The Lounge and immediately approached the victim and used a razor to slash the victim’s neck.

The victim sustained a serious wound which required immediate medical care in order to save his life.

Thanks to that care, the victim has thankfully been able to make a recovery.

Emergency services were called to the scene and arrived within minutes. Ryan had been detained by members of the public.

He was immediately arrested, and a blade was located in a bush which he was lying beside.

Ryan, of Brick Kiln Way, Braintree, was charged with attempted murder and racially aggravated harassment.

He offered a plea to the lesser offence of grievous bodily harm with intent, but this was rejected as detectives and our Crown Prosecution Service colleagues felt there was clear intent to kill in Ryan’s actions.

He denied the charges but was found guilty after a week-long trial in Chelmsford Crown Court.

He will be sentenced at the same court on April 5.
‘No doubt that this was attempted murder’

Detective Inspector Lydia George, of our Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, led our investigation.

She said:

“It is no exaggeration to say that this incident could very easily have been a murder investigation. Ryan showed clear intent to kill; there is no doubt this was attempted murder.
“It is only thanks to the work of officers and medics at the scene that the victim’s life was saved. The wound was millimetres from being fatal.
“Ryan is clearly a dangerous individual who has now been served justice and will no doubt receive a long custodial sentence when sentenced in April.”

Essex Police

Fitness guru ‘Charlie Big Potatoes’ admits sharing terrorist documents

By
March 1, 2023
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Kristofer Thomas Kearney – known online as Charlie Big Potatoes – was extradited from Alicante to face charges last year

An alleged far-right fitness guru for a British group known as Patriotic Alternative has admitted sharing a stash of terrorist documents on social media.

Kristofer Thomas Kearney, 38, is originally from Liverpool but was based in Alicante before he was extradited from Spain to face charges last September.

On Wednesday, Kearney, who was known online as Charlie Big Potatoes, pleaded guilty to two offences of disseminating terrorist publications.

Kearney, who entered his plea at the Old Bailey by video link from Chelmsford prison, is believed to be the first member of Patriotic Alternative to be convicted of terrorist offences. The offences related to two Telegram posts on January 23 and March 8 2021 which disseminated dozens of documents glorifying and encouraging extreme right-wing terror attacks.

Ged O’Connor, defending, told the court Kearney’s pleas were on the basis he was “reckless” as to whether the effect of his conduct was to encourage terrorism. However, prosecutor Naomi Parsons told the court the Crown’s case was “consistent with intent”.

Judge Richard Marks KC said the issue of Kearney’s motivation would be decided at a two-day hearing on May 4 and 5 before he passes sentence. Kearney is alleged to have created a Telegram channel entitled “Charlie Big Potatoes” in November 2020.

In 2021, he posted a numbered list and links to some 89 extreme right-wing documents. Among them were the manifestos of Anders Breivik, who murdered 77 people in Norway, and that of Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Two other far-right extremist manifestos related to Texas Walmart mass killer Patrick Crusius and John Earnest, who shot people at a Californian synagogue in 2019.

Kearney’s motivation in making the terrorist material available was said to be in the context of his racist ideology and support for Patriotic Alternative, whose policies including deporting non-whites.

Previously, Kearney is said to have been an active member of neo-Nazi group National Action until a week before it was banned in December 2016 for glorifying the murder of MP Jo Cox.

He then switched to Patriotic Alternative, another extreme right-wing organisation that is not currently proscribed by Government, it is claimed. It is believed he became “head of fitness” at Patriotic Alternative and regularly shared posts from its accounts such as White Lives Matter banners.

Liverpool Echo

First alleged member of far-right Patriotic Alternative admits terror charges

By
March 1, 2023
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An alleged far-right fitness guru for a British group known as Patriotic Alternative has admitted sharing a stash of terrorist documents on social media.

Kristofer Thomas Kearney, 38, is originally from Liverpool but was based in Alicante before he was extradited from Spain to face charges last September.

On Wednesday, Kearney, who was known online as Charlie Big Potatoes, pleaded guilty to two offences of disseminating terrorist publications.

Kearney, who entered his plea at the Old Bailey by video link from Chelmsford prison, is believed to be the first member of Patriotic Alternative to be convicted of terrorist offences.

The offences related to two Telegram posts on January 23 and March 8 2021 which disseminated dozens of documents glorifying and encouraging extreme right-wing terror attacks.

Ged O’Connor, defending, told the court Kearney’s pleas were on the basis he was “reckless” as to whether the effect of his conduct was to encourage terrorism.

However, prosecutor Naomi Parsons told the court the Crown’s case was “consistent with intent”.

Judge Richard Marks KC said the issue of Kearney’s motivation would be decided at a two-day hearing on May 4 and 5 before he passes sentence.

Kearney is alleged to have created a Telegram channel entitled “Charlie Big Potatoes” in November 2020.

In 2021, he posted a numbered list and links to some 89 extreme right-wing documents.

Among them were the manifestos of Anders Breivik, who murdered 77 people in Norway, and that of Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Two other far-right extremist manifestos related to Texas Walmart mass killer Patrick Crusius and John Earnest, who shot people at a Californian synagogue in 2019.

Kearney’s motivation in making the terrorist material available was said to be in the context of his racist ideology and support for Patriotic Alternative, whose policies including deporting non-whites.

Previously, Kearney is said to have been an active member of neo-Nazi group National Action until a week before it was banned in December 2016 for glorifying the murder of MP Jo Cox.

He then switched to Patriotic Alternative, another extreme right-wing organisation that is not currently proscribed by Government, it is claimed.

It is believed he became “head of fitness” at Patriotic Alternative and regularly shared posts from its accounts such as White Lives Matter banners.

He also set up a channel called “Fascist Fitness” to hand out exercise and fitness tips.

Kearney, who spoke only to enter his guilty pleas, was remanded into custody until his next hearing at the Old Bailey.

County Press

Far-right Army reject convicted of collecting terror documents

By
February 17, 2023
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Doorman Sejr Forster had briefly joined the Army but was discharged due to his association with National Action.

A far-right British Army reject has been found guilty of having bomb-making manuals.

Doorman Sejr Forster, 25, from Norwich, was convicted at the Old Bailey of collecting terrorist publications following a trial.

The court was told Forster had joined the Army in May 2016, but was “ultimately deemed unsuitable” after engaging in “extreme-right rhetoric”.

He had earlier been excluded from college for his views in May 2013.

Ben Lloyd, prosecuting, said: “In May 2022, he said in summary that he accepted that he had been involved with the far-right since he was aged about 13.

“His interest had been in EDL (English Defence League) and National Action (NA), which at school led to him being referred to Prevent.

“He had engaged with Prevent for about seven months. He had briefly joined the Army but was discharged due to his association with National Action.

“When NA was legal, he had been involved in printing off posters for them.

“In the past, he described himself as being ‘obsessed’ with right-wing culture.”

NA was proscribed by the Government following the murder of MP Jo Cox in 2016.

When police officers searched Forster’s home last year, they discovered a stash of extremist material.

Mr Lloyd said: “This material shows that the defendant was fascinated by extreme right views.

“In fact, the prosecution says this material shows that he shared those views and beliefs himself.

“He also had an interest in weapons, things like guns, knives, and explosives.

“It is why he looked at and downloaded the material onto his telephone.”

Mr Lloyd rejected the suggestion the defendant clicked on the documents but did not intend to download them.

On Friday, Forster was found guilty of two counts of collecting of a terrorist publications.

One related to The Advanced Anarchist Arsenal which was downloaded on his mobile device and included viable instructions for the manufacture of explosive substances.

The other charge related to a hard copy book called US Army Improvised Munitions Handbook on the manufacture of explosive substances.

Before his trial, Forster had pleaded guilty to possessing an item described as a DIY Sheet Metal Self-Loading Pistol – Practical Scrap Metal Small Arms, an “illustrated guide” for producing a firearm.

Forster was acquitted of having a document named Middle Eastern Terrorist – Bomb Designs, which was said to detail the construction of explosive devices.

A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for less than four hours to reach their verdicts.

Forster was remanded into custody to be sentenced at a later date.

Evening Standard

Drug-driving Sunderland dad led police on chase through city centre before crashing into lamppost

By
February 15, 2023
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A Sunderland dad high on drugs has been jailed for a 60-second early hours danger drive where he powered blindly down a walkway while being pursued by police.

Unlicensed and uninsured Kieron Wright, 30, is starting 40 weeks behind bars for his cannabis-fired 50mph antics at the wheel of his Ford Focus.

After his arrest, Wright, of Rosedale Street, Bishopwearmouth, admitted he was so drugged up he could not recall getting into the motor.

He was caught on police dashcam driving above the speed limit in city centre High Street East at 1.47am on Friday, November 11.

Footage shows him flinging his motor over speed bumps while being pursued and stopping only when he jammed it between a lamppost and railings in Coronation Street.

A blood test showed he was over the legal limit for cannabis derivative THC, and illegal amphetamine was also found in the vehicle.

At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Kathryn Meek told him his drug taking had made him oblivious to the danger he posed to unsuspecting pedestrians.

She said video showed his driving was “completely out of control” – and confirmed he had confessed to having no recollection of taking the wheel due to drugs.

Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said: “Police state he was driving at up to 50mph in a 30mph area.

“Officers describe it as being a residential area and on two occasions his car mounts the footpath.

“He then collided with railings and was arrested for dangerous driving. A roadside swab was positive for cocaine.

“A swab at the police station showed he was under the limit for cocaine, but a blood sample showed he was over for cannabis.

“He was also found to not have insurance or a driving licence, and checks found a small bag of white powder in the car. It was amphetamine.”

Wright pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of a single wrap of class B amphetamine and drug driving at an earlier hearing.

He also admitted driving without a licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop for police.

His reading for cannabis derivative THC was 2.2mcg per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Footage showed Wright also driving on Sans Street, Borough Road and Hendon Road.

David Wright, defending, said the pursuit had been short and dashcam showed no other drivers or pedestrians.

Mr Wright added: “It’s less than 60 seconds before he comes to a stop. I don’t think we see a single person or a car during the clip.

“If the custody threshold is crossed you do have the option of imposing a suspended sentence of up to 12 months.

“The Probation report does contain a lot of positive information. He has expressed to me that he does want help with his drugs’ use.”

Judge Meek jailed Wright for 40 weeks for dangerous driving, 12 weeks for drug-driving and four weeks for drug possession, to run concurrently.

She banned him from driving for 40 months, due to a drink-drive conviction in 2013, and he must take an extended driving test. He must also pay a £187 victim surcharge.

Sunderland Echo

Norwich: Man, 25, goes on trial for terror offences

By
February 14, 2023
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A neo-Nazi former soldier accused of possessing terrorist publications had been obsessed with the far right since the age of 13, a court has heard.

The Norwich 25-year-old – who the court has ruled can only be named as S Forster – is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of having materials that included designs and instructions for making explosives, incendiary devices and bombs.

He denies three charges of possessing information likely to be “useful” to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Forster – had joined the Royal Anglian Regiment in May 2016, but was discharged after basic training because he was “ultimately deemed unsuitable” after engaging in “extreme-right rhetoric”, the court heard.

Ben Lloyd, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was fascinated by extreme right wing views and the prosecution says that the material involved in this case shows he shared such views and beliefs himself.

“He also had an interest in weapons like guns, knives and explosives.”

A jury at the central criminal court was told he had accepted that he had been involved with the far right since he was aged about 13 and that his school books included doodles stating ‘vote National Front’.

He was excluded from college in Norwich in May 2015 over his views and a student supervisor had referred him to the Prevent programme where he had admitted being a youth recruiter for far right group National Action (NA).

He also said he had attended events with former BNP leader Nick Griffin, written anti-semitic graffiti and posted that David Cameron “should be hung”.

“He engaged with Prevent for about seven months. He had briefly joined the army but was discharged due to his association with National Action,” said Mr Lloyd.

“When NA was legal, he had been involved in printing off posters for them.

“In the past, he described himself as being ‘obsessed’ with right wing culture.”

Police who raided his one-bedroom flat on Cardiff Road in Norwich’s Golden Triangle on April 6 last year discovered on Forster’s phone a 24-page document named Middle Eastern Terrorist – Bomb Designs.

It included diagrams and instructions for making make-shift weapons including gasoline and cement bombs and a chemical firing device.

Officers also found The Advanced Anarchist Arsenal downloaded on his mobile device and a hard copy of a book called US Army Improvised Munitions Handbook.

“For good reason the law makes it a criminal offence to possess material that could be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism,” said Mr Lloyd.

He added: “The prosecution does not allege that this defendant was actively making plans himself to commit a terrorist act.”

The court heard Forster’s flat contained pictures of Adolf Hitler and weapons, a National Front poster and stickers and other far right materials.

Police also found copies of The Great Replacement, an online manifesto penned by New Zealand mosque mass shooter Brenton Tarrant, and Seizure, the collected writings of notorious US neo-Nazi James Mason.

Phone files and online searches included items on ethnic cleansing, guns, militaria as well as National Action and Combat 18, the court heard.

Forster has pleaded guilty to possessing an item called the DIY Sheet Metal Self-Loading Pistol – Practical Scrap Metal Small Arms, an “illustrated guide” for producing a firearm.

Mr Lloyd said the defendant may argue he clicked on the documents but did not intend to download them and that he acquired the book from the internet.

He went on: “The prosecution say those suggestions are untenable. The defendant knowingly obtained and stored this material.

“It is not plausible to suggest he did not know he had the material. Even if he did there can be no reasonable excuse for possessing any of the items.”

The trial continues.

Eastern Daily Press

Far-right extremists discussed underground base in Lake District, court hears

By
February 11, 2023
Uncategorized

Kurt McGowan, of Workington, Cumbria, was jailed for seven years at Preston Crown Court

The “chief propagandist” of a far-right extremist group discussed digging a tunnel in the Lake District as a base for their “operations”, a court has heard.

Kurt McGowan, of Workington, Cumbria, was jailed for seven years at Preston Crown Court on Friday for four offences of collecting terrorist information and three counts of disseminating terrorist publications.

The court heard McGowan was described as “our very own Goebbels”, a reference to Nazi Joseph Goebbels, in a group on messaging app Telegram, where he used the handle Red Church.

The 23-year-old made a heart gesture with his hands to his mother, who was in tears in the public gallery, as he was taken from the dock.

I have no doubt you are a committed, determined and manipulative adherent to extreme right-wing ideology and you are prepared to educate and encourage others in the use of violence to achieve your goal of white supremacy

Sentencing him, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “I have no doubt you are a committed, determined and manipulative adherent to extreme right-wing ideology and you are prepared to educate and encourage others in the use of violence to achieve your goal of white supremacy.”

Joe Allman, prosecuting, told the court an undercover officer gained access to the Telegram group used by McGowan and between six to 12 others in August 2020.

He said: “The messages make it clear the group considered they were, or at least were in the process of forming, an active far-right cell.

“They actively discussed digging a tunnel as a base for operations, where that might be located and how it should be constructed.

“Mr McGowan suggested the Lake District for what he called its extensive woodland.”

He said McGowan also suggested they survey the national park for “phase one” of the operation.

The court heard McGowan was part of Telegram group The Hand and then Exiled393 UK.

They actively discussed digging a tunnel as a base for operations, where that might be located and how it should be constructed

Other members included Matthew Cronjager, who was jailed in 2021 for plotting to shoot an Asian friend because he slept with “white chicks”.

Mr Allman said McGowan was “chief propagandist” in the group, which considered itself a para-military unit and shared views which were antisemitic, anti-muslim, misogynistic and showed extreme homophobia.

The court heard another of the themes in the group was the suggestion that “non-white” people were inferior and needed to be exterminated.

McGowan shared documents which included information about fighting techniques, instructions on manufacturing ammunition and tactics for guerilla warfare, Mr Allman said.

In March 2021 his home in Hinnings Road was searched and a mobile phone and USB stick were recovered.

Mr Allman said a number of other documents were found by officers on the Telegram app on his phone, including a “white resistance manual”, with instructions on how to build a pipe bomb, and a manual on how to manufacture a viable firearm.

The court heard in November 2020 the group discussed setting up a PayPal account to pool money for things they might need and agreed getting 3D printers to make “art”, a phrase used for firearms, was a long-term aim.

George Payne, defending, said McGowan had written a letter to the court in which he said he was “truly sorry” for the offences and had become “embroiled in a murky world that was fuelled by hate and suspicion of the other”.

McGowan, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and has no previous convictions, cried in the dock during parts of his mitigation.

Mr Payne said his parents, who were both in court, had also written a letter, expressing their belief he was “at heart a good person” and had shown genuine remorse.

McGowan pleaded not guilty to two further counts of disseminating terrorist publications which were ordered to lie on the file.

Evening Standard

Far-right Scot admits terror charges over replica machine gun

By
February 9, 2023
Uncategorized
James Farrell joined a far-right group and shared dangerous material

James Farrell joined a far-right group and shared dangerous material

A Glasgow man who joined a far-right online group and shared a video on how to make a replica sub-machine gun has admitted terror charges.

James Farrell, 32, shared racist and neo-Nazi views with other members of the Oaken Hearth group.

He posted offensive comments and photos about black and Jewish people and then posted a clip on how to make “the ultimate DIY machine pistol”.

He admitted charges under the Terrorism Act at the High Court in Glasgow.

The ex-security guard was identified by a police operation investigating Oaken Hearth.

Farrell was arrested at his family home in Priesthill after being caught by posting a picture of a right-wing book with his dog in the background.

He admitted posting the clip which he found “edgy and cool” with instructions on how to construct the replica firearm.

This was said to have been a “direct or indirect encouragement” to the “commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

The charge further stated Farrell was “reckless” as to whether the conduct had an effect.

The court heard that Farrell hooked up with the group via the chat app Telegram in March 2021, with the user name Jabz.

The group discussed terrorist killers such as Brenton Tarrant, who murdered 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. in 2019.

Farrell stated at one point: “It is about time someone firebombed a synagogue.”

The group went on to talk about making firearms using 3D printers.

Farrell then shared a link titled: “The Box Tube MAC-11 – The Ultimate DIY machine pistol”.

The court heard “by solely following” the instructions, a non-firing replica sub-machine pistol could be made.

Further alterations – needing “skills and firearms knowledge” – would be needed for it to discharge bullets.

However, prosecutor Graeme Jessop told the court: “Any replica built using these instructions would be intimidating to anyone that was presented with it.

“It would have a very similar appearance to the machine pistol it is based on.”

Farrell remained a member, but his replies eventually became “few and far apart”.

The Oaken Hearth group was investigated by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit in England. An undercover officer was able to become part of the group and confirmed the topics of discussion and mindset of its member.

Five people were arrested on 1 May 2021 for terrorist and firearms offences with three being part of Oaken Hearth.

A mobile phone was seized which contained chats from Oaken Hearth which led to Farrell being identified.

‘Totally unacceptable’

In October 2021, his home was then raided under the Terrorism Act.

The same dog and bronze axes spotted in the photo he posted were found in the property.

The books as well as other “far right literature” and neo-Nazi flags were seized.

Lord Clark told Farrell the offence was “a serious and indeed a dangerous matter”.

He continued his bail and Farrell will be sentenced next month.

The conviction was welcomed by Det Ch Supt Stuart Houston, the head of Police Scotland’s organised crime and counter terrorism unit.

He said: “Farrell not only expressed views which are totally unacceptable in a civilised society but his actions in sharing material of this nature had the potential of significantly endangering the public.

“His conviction is testament to the work of Police Scotland officers and shows the value of working in partnership with our colleagues in counter-terrorism policing across the UK.”

BBC News

Jolene Bunting disqualified as councillor after Britain First row

By
February 9, 2023
Uncategorized

A former councillor found to have doctored a payslip in a bid to get money from a far-right group has been disqualified from becoming a councillor for three years.

At an adjudication hearing of Northern Ireland’s local government watchdog, Jolene Bunting was found to have breached the code of conduct.

Her actions were branded “dishonest, deliberate and for personal gain”.

It followed a complaint from Britain First leader Paul Golding.

He claimed Ms Bunting, a former independent unionist councillor, had asked him to cover the cost of a fine she received from Belfast City Council in 2018 for a publicity stunt at Belfast City Hall involving Britain First’s deputy leader at the time, Jayda Fransen.

He agreed to send her money, paying her sums of £50 and £65.

But the fine was, in fact, due to Ms Bunting exceeding the data usage on her council mobile phone.

The hearing of the Local Government Commissioner for Standards was told Ms Bunting had “amended her payslip in order to achieve financial gain from Mr Golding and Britain First”.

It heard she had sent Mr Golding an image of her payslip as proof of a £545 deduction that had been taken from her monthly council allowance – but the image had been altered to obscure words explaining that the fee was for the then councillor’s mobile phone.

Ms Bunting, who declined to attend the hearing, previously denied she was responsible for altering the image.

In an earlier interview with investigators, she denied the allegations against her.

‘Sought to blame others’

Assistant commissioner Ian Gordon, who made the findings against Ms Bunting, told the hearing: “Her actions were dishonest, deliberate and for personal gain. Her actions have brought her and her role as a councillor into disrepute.

“I’m satisfied that the respondent’s alteration of her payslip and discussions with Mr Golding are likely to diminish public trust in her position as a councillor.”

He added, however, that Ms Bunting’s actions had not brought Belfast City Council itself into disrepute.

Mr Golding told the BBC he intended to send a bundle of evidence – including the doctored payslip and text exchanges with Ms Bunting – to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

In her closing remarks Rachel Best, counsel for the deputy commissioner who investigated Ms Bunting, said the case “strikes at the heart of public confidence in councillors”.

Ms Best outlined “a plethora of aggravating factors” in the case, including Ms Bunting’s “deliberate personal gain at public expense by exploiting her position of councillor”.

She told the hearing Ms Bunting had brought herself into disrepute as a councillor, which had a wider impact on public confidence.

Ms Best said Ms Bunting had continued to deny the facts despite “clear evidence” and had challenged the investigation and adjudication until the end.

She added that Ms Bunting had “sought to unfairly blame others”, particularly Mr Golding, and that she had shown no remorse for her actions and offered no apology.

Ms Bunting had made a last-ditch attempt to halt the proceedings.

Referencing an email she sent to the watchdog on the final day of the hearing, Mr Gordon said he accepted that she had been under “significant financial pressure at the time”.

However, he said he had considered all of the evidence and found that she had breached the councillors’ code of conduct in a number of ways – including bringing her position into disrepute and improperly using her position to secure financial advantage.

BBC News

Daniel Harris: British teenage extremist whose videos were linked to two mass murders in US jailed

By
January 27, 2023
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Daniel Harris “inspired” mass killer Payton Gendron who shot dead 10 people in Buffalo, New York. The British teenager was also said to have influenced Anderson Lee Aldrich, the only suspect in a shooting at a Colorado gay bar in which five people were killed.

A British teenage extremist has been jailed after his far-right videos were linked to two mass murders in the US.

Daniel Harris used an online platform called World Truth Videos to disseminate a “call to arms” for his violent racist beliefs, a court heard.

The 19-year-old from Glossop in Derbyshire was convicted of five counts of encouraging terrorism and one of possessing a 3D printer for the purposes of terrorism after a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

He was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years in jail, and a further 3 years on licence.

Prosecutors said US mass killer Payton Gendron was “encouraged and, in part, motivated to do what he did” by Harris.

Gendron murdered 10 black people in a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, in May 2022 while livestreaming the attack. Within hours, Harris produced a video celebrating the killing spree.

Gendron, 19, had left a comment on one of Harris’s videos two months before the mass shooting, saying: “You are not alone my friend :)”.

The video included lessons to be learned from Brenton Tarrant, who livestreamed an attack in which he killed 51 people at mosques in New Zealand in March 2019.

Gendron had also taken an image from another of Harris’s videos and used it as the main image on his “manifesto”.

Prosecutor Joe Allman said Gendron was “inspired” by Harris’s material.

The British teenager also influenced Anderson Lee Aldrich, the only suspect in a shooting at a gay bar in Colorado, the court was told.

Aldrich, 22, allegedly killed five people during an indiscriminate firearms attack in Colorado Springs, in November last year – while Harris was on trial in the UK.

Aldrich – who is yet to enter pleas over the Colorado shooting – “accessed material” produced by Harris, Mr Allman said.

The prosecutor told the court one of Harris’s videos was posted on the “brother site” to a website with links to what appeared to be a livestream of Aldrich preparing to carry out the attacks.

Mr Allman said: “The Crown say it demonstrates that individuals of the greatest concern have accessed the material produced by Mr Harris.”

Harris was described in court as an “influential online propagandist for a violent and deeply racist ideology”.

His videos glorified mass killings and were “tantamount to a call to arms to those who shared, or who could be persuaded to share Mr Harris’s world view,” Mr Allman said.

Under the pseudonym “BookAnon”, Harris’s videos “encouraged and gave instructions for carrying out acts of terror against those deemed not to be part of the white European race,” the court heard.

One video showed how to make an assault rifle using a 3D printer and when police raided Harris’s grandfather’s house, they found that he had begun making the parts himself.

Toxic rhetoric with untold influence’

After the teenager’s conviction, Detective Inspector Chris Brett said attempts were initially made to engage with Harris through the Prevent programme, which aims to stop people becoming terrorists.

“It soon became clear he was pretending to be deradicalised whilst encouraging terrorism online,” Mr Brett added.

“The threat he caused meant we had to act in order to ensure the safety of the wider public.”

Mr Brett said Harris “clearly demonstrated a disdain for law enforcement and public order, as well as an admiration for those who had committed atrocities in terrorist attacks overseas”.

“By posting these videos online, Harris’ toxic rhetoric could have had untold influence on countless people across the world – such actions will not be tolerated,” the senior officer said.

He added that officers made “the rather chilling discovery of attempts to make component parts of a firearm printed from his 3D printer” during a search, which “showed a clear intent to create a deadly weapon”.

Sky News