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Sunderland man Kieron Wright smashed rival’s window and threatened to cut his head off

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October 12, 2024
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A knifeman smashed a window at a rival’s home and warned “I will cut your head off”.

A person inside the house targeted by Kieron Wright, in Sunderland, was “visibly shaken” when officers arrived on April 25.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the confrontation was caught on CCTV and Wright, who had left the scene, was arrested nearby.

Wright, 31, of Buttermere Street, Sunderland, who has 95 offences on his record and was out on licence at the time, admitted having a bladed article and criminal damage.

Mr Recorder Jamie Hill KC said it remains unclear why Wright targeted the house but there was suggestion of a previous fall-out involving a family member and that money was involved.

Recorder Hill sentenced Wright, who has been in custody since the offence, to 12 months, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation and programme requirements.

Christopher Morrison, defending, said Wright has a troubled background but is now at a “pivotal point” in his life and is making positive changes.

Mr Morrison told the court: “He has started to demonstrate some insight.”

Sunderland Echo

Sixteen in court charged over riot

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August 28, 2024
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Sixteen people have appeared in court charged in connection with a riot earlier this month.

Middlesbrough saw a night of unrest on Sunday 4 August in a wave of disorder that swept across the country following anti-immigration fuelled social media misinformation about the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport.

All those appearing at Teesside Crown Court were charged with violent disorder, with some also accused of possessing an offensive weapon.

Of those seen on Tuesday, 14 men pleaded not guilty.

A metal bar, knife and scaffolding pole are among the weapons defendants have been accused of carrying.

One of those admitting offences was a 16-year-old boy who pleaded guilty to violent disorder

He denied a further charge of being in possession of a bladed article and was remanded into the care of the local authority.

Meanwhile, Jamie Govan, 27, of Hartington Road in Stockton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will be sentenced on 7 October.

Two further defendants had their hearings adjourned until Wednesday, while another case was dismissed.

BBC News

Computer programmer, 31, admits stabbing an Eritrean asylum seeker, 25, at a hotel used to house migrants – but denies trying to kill him

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August 22, 2024
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A computer programmer has admitted stabbing an Eritrean asylum seeker at a hotel used to house migrants.

Callum Ulysses Parslow, 31, knifed Nahom Hagos, 25, in the lobby area of the Pear Tree Inn and Country Hotel in Hindlip, Worcestershire, on April 2.

The hotel had been used to house migrants for three years but was closed earlier this year for refurbishments and was due to be reopened for the public.

The victim, who had previously lived at the hotel as an asylum seeker, was rushed to hospital following the attack but his injuries were not life threatening.

Parslow was arrested on a towpath of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and threw a pocket knife on the ground.

He appeared at the Old Bailey today and admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and having a bladed article.

Parslow denied attempted murder and will stand trial for two weeks at Leicester Crown Court on November 7.

Parslow appeared in court via video link from HMP Belmarsh wearing a grey t-shirt and tracksuit trousers.

Mr Justice Jeremy Baker told him: ‘Your trial will take place on 7 October and in the mean time you’ll remain in custody.’

Counter-Terrorism Policing West Midlands had been called in to lead the investigation.

Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills of West Mercia Police, earlier said: ‘This was a truly shocking incident and my thoughts continue to be with the victim as he recovers from his injuries.

‘We understand the details of this charge may be alarming to the community, but we can reassure you that there isn’t believed to be any wider risk to the public.

‘The local policing team from West Mercia Police will remain visible in the area for your reassurance.’

Parslow, originally from Hereford, worked as a computer programmer for an automotive diecast manufacturer in Worcester.

He remains remanded in custody.

Daily Mail

Police found knife on man using stop and search powers in Newcastle

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August 22, 2024
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A man who “stupidly” took a knife with him into Newcastle city centre on the day of a recent planned protest and counter-demonstration is now serving his first prison sentence.

Jamie Durham was one of many people made subject of special stop and search powers deployed by Northumbria Police in a bid to deter any unrest on the city centre streets on the day of rival anti-immigration and anti-racism rallies, on Saturday, August 10.

The force was seeking to prevent any repeat of disturbances seen at many such events in towns and cities in the region and across the land, following the killing of three girls in Southport on July 29.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that amid a heavy police presence in the city centre, Durham was searched by officers near to Haymarket Bus Station, at about 10.30am that day.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said the black-handled kitchen knife was found in a pocket of his back pack as were foil-lined bags often used by shop-lifters.

Durham claimed to have forgotten the knife was there, while it was noted by Judge Paul Sloan, The Recorder of Newcastle, that he was also wearing several layers of clothing when stopped.

The 23-year-old defendant, of Lort House, Shieldfield, Newcastle, admitted possession of a knife in public when he appeared before city magistrates days later.

His case was sent to the crown court for sentence.

Mr Ahmad told the sentencing hearing: “He was in possession of a bladed article, committed in circumstances where there was a risk of disorder.”

He said that at the time of his arrest, the defendant was on bail for an alleged incident of affray, involving the use of a bottle, committed in Newcastle on July 27.

Durham was also under investigation for making an alleged racist comment to a police officer, on July 29, last year.

Fiona Lamb, representing the defendant, told the court: “Can I say at the outset that he understands the position he is in, knowing the courts are taking this type of offence very seriously.

“He’s under no illusion as to the type of sentence that is likely to be imposed.

“He has described it as the ‘stupidest’ thing he has ever done.”

Miss Lamb said the defendant was unfamiliar with the criminal justice system, despite having other matters outstanding.

“He looked very lost at the position he was in when I spoke to him in the cells, earlier.”

Miss Lamb said the defendant told her he put the knife in his bag to prevent an aggressive ex-partner of his mother from getting his hands on it, as a preventative measure.

“He was not committing any anti-social behaviour, but it was the morning of the planned protest.”

Miss Lamb said the defendant left school at 14 and has had no employment since the age of 18, when he did some roofing work.

She said he has no issues with alcohol or drugs, despite occasionally using cannabis.

Miss Lamb added that the defendant had found it “sobering” being in HMP Durham on remand and was not looking forward to serving a prison sentence.

Judge Sloan told the defendant that he had offered no plausible explanation for having four layers of clothing on, on what was a sunny summer’s day.

“After the events of previous days, of which you will have been well aware, where incidents of widespread violence and disorder occurred, there were obvious concerns that similar violence should not flare-up in the city centre of Newcastle.

“As a result there was a very large police presence that day and among other powers they employed, stop and search was in force, so when you arrived in the city centre you were stopped and searched.

“It was obvious from what you said to the officers you were fully aware of the planned protests in Newcastle that day, albeit you claimed you were there passing through to go shopping in another location.

“Police found the kitchen knife and on arrest, you claimed you forgot it was there.

“In interview you made no reply and couldn’t provide an explanation as to why you were wearing four layers of clothing on a summer’s day, and you still haven’t provided provided a proper explanation for wearing that extent of clothing.”

Judge Sloan said the offence was committed in circumstances of a risk of serious disorder and the defendant would have been aware of that risk.

Despite the defendant’s previous good character, Judge Sloan said, “given the context in which this offences was committed”, he had to, “both punish and deter others from such offending”, and, therefore, only an immediate prison sentence was appropriate.

Passing an eight-month sentence he also made a deprivation and destruction order for both the knife and the bag in the back pack.

Northern Echo

Teenager jailed after taking knife to planned demo

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August 16, 2024
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A teenager who took a knife to an area where a protest was due to take place has been jailed.

Thomas Connelly, 18, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place after he was arrested in Warrington on 7 August.

Police found him with a folding pocketknife after he was “acting suspiciously” near the location of a planned protest, prosecutors said.

The 18-year-old, from Regency Square, was jailed for six months at Chester Magistrates’ Court.

On his arrest, Connelly said he was aware of the protest but had forgotten to leave the knife at where he worked for a upholstery firm.

Emily Lloyd, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said his excuse “isn’t a defence”.

“He was in a public place with a bladed article without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

“It was concerning that he was making his way to the protest that was planned and the knife could have been used by him or others if he dropped it.”

BBC News

18-year-old sentenced after arriving at rumoured protest site with knife

By
August 14, 2024
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An 18-year-old has been sentenced to 26 weeks in a young offender institution after turning up to a rumoured protest site with a knife in his possession.

Thomas Connelly, 18, of Regency Square, Warrington, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates’ Court to a charge of possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He was arrested after being searched by officers in Orford Lane, Warrington, where there had been rumours – which turned out to be false – that a protest related to the wider national disorder was planned, prompting police to exercise their stop and search powers.

Cheshire Police said Connelly told the officers searching him that he had a folding lock knife in his pocket.

A spokesperson for the force said Connelly “had clearly made his way to Orford Lane after hearing this speculation”.

BBC News

Two rioters carrying knife and knuckleduster to appear in Crown Court

By
August 10, 2024
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Back to Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, where Paul Daintith has pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a Section 60 area.

The order gives police enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals and is designed to minimise serious violence.

The court heard how Daintith was arrested after revealing he had a craft knife tucked into the waistband of his trousers.

When asked why he had the knife during a police interview following his arrest, Daintith said he “was a smackhead who picks everything up”.

His case will go to Liverpool Crown Court on 15 August for sentence because the defendant has a previous conviction for a similar offence.

After being denied bail and taken into custody, Daintith, who was wearing a football shirt, shouted: “Wanker”.

Elsewhere, Bristol Magistrates’ Court has heard how 42-year-old Lee James “couldn’t get” a knuckleduster off his hand during riots in Southampton because “he has quite thick knuckles”.

Representing James, Janet Brownlow said her client had attended the protest “out of curiosity” and wanted to stress that he is “not a racist”.

She said James had picked up the knuckle-duster at a property he had previously worked on and left it in his van, from where he had picked it up and put it on before the protest.

District Judge Lynne Matthews remanded James into custody ahead of his sentencing hearing at Southampton Crown Court on 12 August.

Sky News

Masked knifeman terrified families attending vigil for Southport stabbing victims

By
August 9, 2024
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Jordan Davies claimed he’d found the knife close to a Tesco Express and had intended to hand it in to police



A balaclava clad man who brandished a knife close to the scene of a vigil for the victims of the Southport knife attacks claimed his daughter had been “stabbed up”.

Just over 24 hours on from the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, children and families fled in terror after Jordan Davies was spotted carrying a flick knife just minutes away from the scene.

One terrified dad even asked for his family to be locked inside a shop as the incident unfolded. Following his arrest, the mindless thug maintained he had found the weapon while urinating near to a Tesco Express store after downing cans of cider and said he was intending to hand the item in to the police.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Friday, that the “Southport community came together for a vigil” at 6pm on Tuesday, July 30, following the “tragedy” the previous day. Davies, of Portland Street in the town, was then seen in possession of the weapon a “short distance” away on Eastbank Street, near to the Wellington pub and a branch of KFC, at around 6.45pm.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how members of the public “ran and screamed” after a woman was heard to shout “he’s got a knife”. One witness, Michael Hayes, had been laying flowers at the scene with his partner, kids and friends and was forced to “push them into the nearby Baltic Supermarket for safety”.

Another, Claire Oldham, meanwhile saw Davies “approaching other males with the blade out”. The 32-year-old was also said to have pulled down a balaclava over his face during the altercation. Police officers subsequently found him “hiding behind a pillar” near to a snooker hall on Princes Street. While he initially “denied having anything on him”, the knife was then discovered inside a bag which he had been wearing around his neck.

Davies then claimed he had “simply picked the bag up” and was in the area “for a peaceful protest”. He added that “his daughter had been stabbed up and he had been assaulted”.

Footage taken from a PC’s body worn camera was played to the court and captured him saying: “I’ve got the bag off the floor, that’s it. I’ve got nothing on me.” When told why he was being detained, Davies replied: “Cos of yesterday and I look a bit foreign? Are you kidding me? I understand what’s gone on, my daughter’s been stabbed. That’s not my bag. I’ve just picked the bag up.

“How’ve I got a lock knife on my f***ing person? I’ve just picked the bag up. My daughter’s been stabbed up. How’ve I got a knife on me? I just picked the bag up off the floor.”

Under interview following his arrest, Davies stated he had earlier consumed “three to four ciders” at home and “picked up the pouch” while urinating near to a Tesco Express store “with the intention of placing it in an amnesty or taking it to a police station”. He added that he was only “seeking to do a good act”.

Mr Taylor told the court: “The town centre was full of families attending the vigil. There were many young children. The offence was committed in circumstances where there was a risk of serious disorder. This incident itself could have been a trigger event.”

Davies’ criminal record shows 15 previous convictions for 25 offences including assault, drink driving and public order matters. He was also handed a 16-week suspended prison sentence on June 19 this year for racially-aggravated harassment, battery and failing to surrender to custody.

His counsel Paul Becker outlined his client’s mental health issues and “serious eye condition” and, citing a letter penned by the defendant, said: “He does say he is neither right wing nor a Muslim and that he lived very close to where he was arrested. He takes this route on a daily basis to travel into the town centre. He is very much against the riots and was with his girlfriend at time. He is extremely sorry for the pain and suffering he has caused by the offences.

“He is a family man. He does have two young children. He is very upset about the horrendous events last Monday in Southport. I understand there has been negative publicity about him on social media and threats made as well. Of course, nobody was threatened with the blade. He understands that, 24 hours after the horrendous events, what was being said, that there was a knife, would have caused alarm to the public.”

Davies admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place and breaching a suspended sentence order. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and wearing short dark hair, he nodded as he was jailed for two years. His 16-week suspended sentence was also activated in full and ordered to run consecutively to this term, leading to a total sentence of two years and 16 weeks. Davies was meanwhile handed a serious violence reduction order, which will commence upon his release and last for two years thereafter, with forfeiture and destruction of the knife being ordered.

Liverpool Echo

Company director sobs as he appears in court over alleged role in Middlesbrough riots

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August 6, 2024
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Joe MacKenzie is one of 28 people in the dock at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in connection with the disorder on Sunday

Joe MacKenzie Joe MacKenzie was 'arrested on suspicion of throwing items, attacking police throughout the day and shouting expletives'

Joe MacKenzie
Joe MacKenzie was ‘arrested on suspicion of throwing items, attacking police throughout the day and shouting expletives’

A company director sobbed in court on Tuesday, dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, as he was told he would be remanded in custody for his alleged part in rioting in Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Joe MacKenzie, 28, is accused of being among a main body of around 20 men wearing balaclavas and face coverings who clashed with the police during violent disorder in the city.

He is one of 28 people to have appeared at Teesside magistrates’ court on Tuesday in connection with the disorder.

Those who appeared in court are aged between 16 and 56.

Twenty-six are charged with violent disorder, one adult aged 18 is charged with possession of an offensive weapon and another, aged 32, was charged after being wanted on warrant.

A total of 40 arrests have now been made in connection with the disorder in Middlesbrough.

Four adults have been released on bail pending further enquiries, one remains in hospital because of a pre-existing medical condition and seven juveniles were released on bail while enquiries continue.

Mr MacKenzie, from Darlington, began to weep while sitting alongside a dock officer as Chris Tame, prosecuting, briefly outlined the case against him.

Mr Tame said: “The defendant was arrested on suspicion of throwing items, attacking police throughout the day and shouting expletives. He was seen drinking from a can of lager.”
Defendant denies using or threatening unlawful violence

Mr MacKenzie, a director in his father’s kitchen and bathroom business, denies using or threatening unlawful violence and will face trial before Teesside Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Nick Woodhouse applied for bail on Mr MacKenzie’s behalf, claiming that he had gone into the centre of Middlesbrough “out of curiosity.”

Mr Woodhouse told the court: “Mr MacKenzie was attempting to leave the centre of town and go back to his car but found his way blocked by a police cordon.

“He was told he would have to walk around two miles back to his vehicle, which would have been made difficult as he suffers from a club foot.”

Mr Woodhouse added that Mr MacKenzie was concerned his family business would fold if he spent further time in jail awaiting trial, but he was remanded in custody.

Also appearing at court was Thomas Rogers, 22, of no fixed address, who hurled rocks at police and yelled: “I hope your kids get raped.”

Mr Rogers was remanded in custody awaiting sentence after he admitted being in possession of an offensive weapon – the rocks – and using or threatening unlawful violence.

The court heard he was in a group of 30 people pelting police during the rioting on Sunday.

He later told officers: “I’m glad I threw the rocks.”
Teen accused of carrying axe

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of carrying an axe during the mayhem. He is charged with unlawful violence and carrying an offensive weapon.

He spoke in court to confirm his date of birth and address. He was accompanied by a dock officer.

He pleaded not guilty to the weapon offence but did not enter a plea to the other charge.

Andrew Livingston, 53, from Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, denied violent disorder and made no plea to a further charge of possessing a 46cm bladed article.

Shaven-headed Mr Livingston, heavily tattooed and wearing a white vest, looked to the ceiling as he was told he would be remanded in custody until Aug 27 when he will appear again before Teesside Crown Court.

District Judge Marie Mallon remanded him in custody while warning people talking in the public gallery they would be removed if they continued to cause disruption.

Connor Stokes, 26, of Thornaby, Teesside, denied unlawful violence and was remanded in custody after the court heard he was a “main participant” in the disorder.

Mr Tame told the court Mr Stokes, who had been wearing a grey tracksuit and black face covering, had been identified by police as one of a group of protestors hurling rocks.

Mr Stokes called “see you in a bit” to his family as he was remanded in custody by District Judge Helen Cousins.
Possession of offensive weapons

Ethan Bowes, 18, blew a kiss to his mother and father as he faced charges of violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons.

The defendant, from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, pleaded not guilty to possessing a sharp rock, possession of a sock “containing a heavy object” and violent disorder.

The teen, dressed in a black Nike T-shirt, was told he would be remanded in custody. Judge Mallon said: “These offences are too serious to be held in this court and must be heard at the crown court.”

She told the defendant he must appear on Aug 27 for a preliminary hearing.

Ashley Ferguson, 33, of Somerset Street, Middlesbrough, is alleged to have waved a pole towards police “in a threatening manner”.

Mr Ferguson pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon and was remanded in custody until Aug 27 when he will appear at a crown court.

Jamie Bullock, 20, appeared before the court accused of having a hand in an incident in which a burning wheelie bin was pushed at police.

He was said to have been involved in the incident, with prosecutor John Garside telling the court the accused had “visited the location wearing gloves and a balaclava”.

Mr Bullock, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

The court heard he “maintains he did nothing wrong at all – he was offered a lift in a van home”.

He was remanded in custody until his next appearance at crown court on Aug 27.
Police ‘resorted to using leg restraints’

Jamie Govan, 26, who allegedly shouted profanities and kicked out at police during the disorder in Middlesbrough, was also remanded in custody. He denied a charge of violent disorder.

Mr Garside said Mr Govan is accused of shouting: “‘You’re protecting them while they rape and kill kids”, at officers before making “come-on gestures with his hands”.

The court heard he allegedly swung his arms and kicked his legs out at police who “resorted to using leg restraints”.

Mr Govan “maintains he did nothing wrong”, a district judge was told.

The defendant was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Aug 27.

Lewis Loughlin, 23, of Middlesbrough, was remanded in custody after denying using or threatening unlawful violence in the town’s rioting.

Mr Tame said Mr Loughlin was stopped in a green car which appeared to be involved in the disorder.

Inside they found an empty petrol can, a baseball bat, knives and tools.

Mr Loughlin claimed he was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and had nothing to do with the violence.

He was remanded in custody by Judge Cousins until his next appearance on Aug 27.

Daily Telegraph

Vincent Fuller: White supremacist jailed for launching far-right terror attack a day after Christchurch shootings

By
September 10, 2019
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A far-right terrorist who tried to kill Muslims in a rampage the day after the Christchurch attack has been jailed for more than 18 years.

Vincent Fuller shouted “all Muslims should die, white supremacists rule” after watching a Facebook livestream broadcast by the shooter.

The 50-year-old attacked cars with non-white drivers with a baseball bat in Stanwell, Surrey, then prowled the streets armed with a knife searching for more targets.

Kingston Crown Court heard that Fuller stabbed a teenager of Bulgarian heritage as he sat in a car with friends outside Tesco, telling him: “You’re going to die.”

The attack was declared a terrorist incident by police the following day but while Fuller admitted a string of offences including attempted murder, he denied committing an act of far-right terror.

Judge Peter Lodder QC found the stabbing had a “terrorist connection” on Tuesday and jailed Fuller for 18 years and nine months.

“This was an act of attempted murder and, as I have found, this was a terrorist act,” he told the court, after finding the stabbing was motivated by white supremacy and anti-Muslim hatred.

The attack unfolded on 16 March, the day after 51 Muslims were massacred at mosques in Christchurch.

“Vincent got a bit angry about the news from New Zealand because he said, ‘it is always them, the Muslims that get looked after and get cared about’,” his girlfriend told police.

Shortly before starting his rampage, Fuller wrote a Facebook post reading: “I am English, no matter what the government say. Kill all the non-English and get them all out of England.”A second post published half an hour later afterwards added: “I agree with what that man did in New Zealand as we will not be brainwashed to this their wrong [sic].”

Prosecutors said he first attacked a neighbour’s home with a baseball bat, calling the woman of Indian descent a “black c***”.

Neighbours heard Fuller shouting “kill Muslims” and “white supremacy”, with one woman reporting he said: “All Muslims should die, white supremacists rule. I’m going to murder a Muslim.”

After the woman refused to answer her door, Fuller walked down the road attacking cars and shouting racist insults and threats at drivers.

A Facebook post made by Vincent Fuller shortly before he started his attack in Stanwell, Surrey, on 16 March 2019

“I’m going to f***ing kill you, I’m going to f***ing cut your throat you black bastard,” he shouted at one driver, before attacking an Uber driven by a Muslim man.

Fuller broke the bat after attacking several vehicles, then went back home and armed himself with a knife.

He walked towards a Tesco supermarket, where a 19-year-old Bulgarian man was in his car talking to friends.

Witnesses said they saw Fuller approaching with a 12in knife with a black blade before he asked the teenagers: “Do you want to get hurt?”

The court heard that the victim replied “what?” before Fuller told him: “You’re going to die.”

The driver attempted to start his car to escape but Fuller lunged through the open window and stabbed him in the hand and neck.

He managed to drive to a nearby McDonald’s and received first aid, before undergoing three hours of surgery.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said the teenager was targeted because he has lightly-tanned skin and was sat next to a friend with a long beard.

“His conduct was motivated by racist and religious hatred, bolstered by the consumption of alcohol,” he told the court.

Vincent Fuller, 50, went on a rampage armed with a knife and baseball bat in the Surrey town of Stanwell on 16 March 2019

”His intention was to strike fear into the hearts of people he described as ‘non-English’, in particular Muslims.”

Fuller, of Viola Avenue in Stanwell, was arrested a short distance away after being Tasered by police and initially denied carrying out the attack.

He later admitted attempted murder, possession of a bladed article, affray and racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

Prosecutors said he called police officers “dirty immigrant scum” while being arrested, adding: “Dirty race traitor, I hope your kids die. I hope your f***ing family die.”

Fuller added: “I hope Syrians come over and rape your children. I hope Isis comes over and rapes your children.”

The court heard that he bore animosity towards police over an investigation of allegations made by his ex-girlfriend.

The day before the attack, Fuller rejected a request to attend a voluntary interview over threatening Facebook messages, calling the officer a “little girl” and telling her to “f*** off”.

A friend who spent time with him on the morning of the attack said he was “preoccupied with the fact that the police wanted to speak to him”, and saw television news about the Christchurch attack shortly afterwards.

In a police interview, Fuller admitted watching the shooter’s video and writing the Facebook posts, but “said he was angry and did not mean it”.

A baseball bat used by Vincent Fuller, 50, to attack cars in the Surrey town of Stanwell on 16 March 2019

He tested positive for cannabis and alcohol, and told police he had downed a large bottle of cider and three cans of strong lager.

Fuller has 24 previous convictions for 59 offences, including a six-year prison sentence in 1998 for stealing handbags from elderly women.

Benjamin Waidhofer, defending, told the court on Friday that his client had no historic links to terrorism and his actions stemmed from family problems “rather than an attempt to further a cause”.

But prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said that if someone had praised the London Bridge terror attacks, said they were going to kill non-Muslims and then stabbed someone, then that would “obviously be terrorism”.

The Stanwell incident is one of several alleged terror attacks and plots inspired in part by the Christchurch shooting, which saw the perpetrator publish a lengthy manifesto detailing a theory that white people are being “replaced” by Muslims.

Brenton Tarrant has been described as a “saint” on extremist forums and cited as an inspiration by white supremacists who carried out shooting massacres in El Paso and Poway.

On Monday, the head of UK counter-terror policing revealed that security services had foiled 15 Islamist and seven far-right attacks since March 2017.

The Independent