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This man had a mid-riot pub crawl then got arrested

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August 7, 2024
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Liam Riley recalled his last pint was at Ranelagh’s Tavern

Liam Riley, 41, of Kirkdale, 20 months imprisonment for violent disorder and racially aggravated abusive behaviour in Liverpool City Centre.(Image: Merseyside Police )

Liam Riley, 41, of Kirkdale, 20 months imprisonment for violent disorder and racially aggravated abusive behaviour in Liverpool City Centre.(Image: Merseyside Police )

A drunken thug joined a gang of around 100 people to attack police during violent scenes of disorder in Liverpool city centre. Liam Riley, 41, of Walton Road, Kirkdale, was at the cordon at Whitechapel and Church Road in the city centre on Saturday, August 3.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, August 7 how officers were sent to the scene at around 7pm. Police were subject to a “torrent of missiles” including bricks and rocks. Sergeant David Peate was struck with a bottle.

Mr Taylor added: “A shop window had been smashed. He described about 100 aggressive chanting people moving towards that cordon. The cordon was ordered to move forward. Many of those acting in a disorderly manner moved back. However this defendant moved towards officers. He was moving his arms around and shouting.

“The defendant was arrested. An officer saw the defendant refuse to move back and standing against officers. Due to the ongoing situation it was not possible to caution the defendant. He was taken to his feet and moved away.

“He was clearly drunk. The defendant was abusive towards an officer, calling him a traitor and Muslim lover. Once in a place of safety, he was cautioned and arrested.”

Riley was taken to police custody where he continued to hurl abuse at officers calling them “r******” among other things. He made negative comments towards immigrants and Muslims and made comments they were both to blame for the tragedy in Southport.

Mr Taylor said: “A poster stating this is our city was recovered from him. In his interview, the defendant said he heard about a protest at Pier Head and went to show solidarity and support for the bereaved parents. He was wearing a St George’s flag around his neck. He explained that he and others were frightened.”

The court heard Riley had been moved from the riots at the Pier Head and went drinking in four or five bars. He recalled his last pint was at Ranelagh’s Tavern.

Riley said he then “told officers to put their batons down and go home”, with Mr Taylor adding: “The defendant said he was not part of any particular group, he just followed the evolving situation.

“He could not explain why he stayed and returned having been moved on from the Pier Head. He describes that he was on his own but well aware of the missiles being thrown. He stated he did not like ‘illegals’ coming over and did not provoke violence or threaten anyone.”

Riley has no previous convictions. Brendan Carville, defending, said Riley was a “man of previous good character”, but said he was a “loner”.

He told the court: “He came to the Pier Head in support for the victims of the Southport matter. Stupidly he hung around. He went to a number of pubs. He’s a man who has not had a drink for a long time. He got caught up in the crowd and became involved in these offences.

“He was not masked or a member of any organised political group, not understanding the concept of far right or far left. He had a poster thrust into his hands at the Pier Head. He is a very foolish man for becoming involved. He knows and accepts he’s going to receive an immediate sentence.”

Mr Carville said he was not an “organiser” or a “political activist”. Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said Riley had made “racist comments” and was aggressive towards officers.

Sentencing Riley, he said: “You were part of a large marauding group of around 100 people. Missiles were thrown at the police lines. Extensive damage was caused to commercial property.

“It seems you had been out drinking and, you say, had been swept up in the excitement. Whatever the reason, you were wilfully behaving aggressively towards the officers. You made racist comments about them and their apparent bias towards other members of the community of which you were not a part.

“It is very sad indeed you should find yourself in this position. You are a man of previous good character. You have no previous convictions for any offence of violence. In your case, I am perfectly satisfied it would not be proper to suspend any prison term. Only immediate custody is appropriate.”

Riley was sentenced to 20 months in jail. He showed no reaction to his sentence.

Liverpool Echo

Woman sentenced after city centre protest

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August 7, 2024
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A woman has been sentenced after disorder at a protest in Nottingham city centre over the weekend.

Hundreds of people gathered near the Brian Clough Statue on King Street as part of demonstrations organised by rival groups on Saturday.

The demonstrations, which saw chanting from some far-right and anti-fascist protesters, were among a number to take place across the UK.

Victoria Gray – one of eight individuals charged after the Nottingham protest – was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The 42-year-old has also been ordered to pay a £200 fine for religious aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, and told to pay £231 in compensation to a victim for one count of assaulting an emergency worker.

Gray, of High Lane East, West Hallam, Derbyshire, was also served four rehabilitation community orders in relation to the charges.

Nottinghamshire Police said the demonstrations in Nottingham remained “largely peaceful”, and warned any other disorder would see a “robust response”.

The charges and sentence

Gray was sentenced to four and three months respectively, suspended for a year, for two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. The three-month sentence will run concurrently to the four-month term

She was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for a year, for possession of a weapon designed for the discharge of noxious liquid or gas or electrical incapacitation, and handed an order for the deprivation of the defendant’s right to use pepper spray. The sentence will run consecutively to the four-month term

Gray was given three months in prison, suspended for a year, for using threatening or abusive or insulting behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. This sentence was ordered to run concurrently

Two other charges – using threatening words or behaviour intending to steer religious or sexual orientation hatred, and using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment or alarm – were withdrawn

BBC News

Faces of first three thugs jailed after joining ‘mobs’ in Southport and Liverpool

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August 7, 2024
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From left; Liam Riley, Declan Geiran and Derek Drummond(Image: Merseyside Police)

From left; Liam Riley, Declan Geiran and Derek Drummond(Image: Merseyside Police)



Three men have been jailed for roles in a series of disturbances across Merseyside. Violence has flared in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton over the past week.

Police vans were set alight and officers were attacked during protesting on St Luke’s Road in the seaside town on Tuesday last week, which came following the fatal stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. A planned protest at the Pier Head on Saturday afternoon also turned violent, with Merseyside Police forced to use riot gear after bricks and debris were thrown towards PCs.

The disorder then continued on County Road that evening as chaos, violence and destruction ensued as looters targeted businesses in the area. This included a fire being started at Spellow Library and Community Hub.

Three men who pleaded guilty to offences including violent disorder and arson earlier this week in connection with the disturbances in Southport and the city centre appeared before Liverpool Crown Court for sentence this morning, Wednesday. Liam Riley, Derek Drummond and Declan Geiran had previously been due to learn their fates later this month, but their sentencings were subsequently been brought forward.

Drummond, of Pool Street in Southport, admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency services worker at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The 58-year-old shouted “s***houses” before punching one police officer, PC Thomas Ball, in the face and was then said to have subsequently thrown bricks at the scene after “breaking down a wall”.

Geiran, who attempted to set a Merseyside Police van on fire on William Brown Street in the city centre on Saturday, pleaded guilty to arson and violent disorder. The 29-year-old, of Kelso Road in Kensington, was seen on CCTV “using an implement to attempt to set fire to the vehicle before making off”, later being arrested in possession of two lighters.

Riley, of Walton Road, admitted violent disorder and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour. The 41-year-old was said to have formed part of a “large crowd” of around 100 people – some of whom were “throwing rocks and bricks towards” police officers on Whitechapel, where a number of shop windows were also smashed.

As many members of the crowd retreated from the police, he “stood his ground, shouting and waving his arms”. After being taken to the ground, a “very drunk” Riley continued to shout at PCs calling them “traitors” and “Muslim lovers”.

He was also found in possession of a banner reading “this is our city” following his arrest, having been wearing a St George’s flag around his neck. Under interview, he “said he’d heard through word of mouth” of a protest at the Pier Head and attended “in sympathy” and had “been to the pub and had three or four pints at Ranelagh’s Tavern”, but “accepted he did get involved.”

Drummond was today jailed for three years by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC. Geiran received 30 months while Riley was handed 20 months.

Sentencing, Judge Menary said: “Every decent member of the community will have been appalled, horrified and deeply disturbed by what has taken place. On Monday the 29th of July, many families in Southport suffered the most devastating loss when three little girls and numerous other children and adults were brutally killed and seriously injured in a knife attack at a dance class.

“While still shocked and bewildered, many residents in the town came together the following evening. They came together for the purposes of a vigil in support of the bereaved families.

“However, there were others who saw these events as an opportunity to sow division and hatred and published on social media false information about the supposed nationality, ethnicity or religion of the alleged attacker. All of this was complete nonsense, but from that point on it has been used as a pretext for widespread disorder escalating across the country including in this city.

“The police thought they would be joining with a community in mourning. The same night, those officers – some of whom had been present the previous day – found themselves attempting to defend a part of the town and themselves in what was a pitched battle with a large and utterly lawless mob. Quite what they were protesting about remains a complete mystery to me. This mob were using the most foul and racist abuse.

“Over several hours, windows were smashed, walls were demolished and bricks were hurled at the police who were doing nothing more than seeking to protect the community. Over 50 police officers were injured. This was large scale and very violent criminal activity. The genuine collective grief of Southport was effectively hijacked by this callous behaviour.

“Southport is a town where traditionally families live, grow up and take pride in the closeness of the community. Liverpool is a city full of wonderful people with a reputation for creativity and enterprise. Your actions have damaged and discarded the reputations of that town and that city. Quite simply, those who deliberately participate in such disorder will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from such activity.”

Jonathan Egan, senior district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey Cheshire said following the sentencing: “Today, the first prison sentences have been handed down for offenders involved in the widespread and unacceptable disorder we saw in Southport and Liverpool last week. Drummond, Riley and Geiran’s actions would have caused panic, revulsion and chaos in their local communities.

“The three men sentenced today are the tip of the iceberg and just the start of what will be a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest. Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time.

“The disturbing images we have seen across the country, manipulated by agitators both in-person and online, while local families still grieve the loss of loved ones, is an unforgivable and selfish act that each and every person sentenced today will have to live with. Violence, rioting and aggression will never be tolerated in this country and we stand ready to use the full force of the law against any others who have been, or are considering, joining these intolerable scenes.

“The Crown Prosecution Service’s message is clear. Whatever your motivation for targeting police, inciting hatred, or wreaking havoc on your local community, you will be swiftly punished. Riley, Drummond and Geiran mistakenly thought they would escape justice. They now face an extended period of time behind bars, and their criminal convictions will stay with them forever.

“There are hundreds of prosecutors working flat out across the country, making real-time charging decisions and helping put offenders before the courts. We will continue to work side by side with our police partners to ensure the criminal justice system responds to any and all incidents of disorder as swiftly as possible.

“Let today’s result serve as a warning to all those who carry out criminality on our streets. You will always suffer the consequences.”

Liverpool Echo

Man jailed for two months

By
August 6, 2024
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Liam Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage during the disorder in Bolton on Sunday.

Prosecuting, Mr Potter said that two police cars, a Ford Focus and a Peugeot, were parked in the Morrison car park on Black Horse Street.

“On the first vehicle, there was significant damage to the windscreen, the side windows were smashed and the driver’s side wing mirror was also damaged. On the second vehicle, the back window was smashed and the near side window was smashed, with significant damage to the front window,” he said.

He was said to have no previous convictions.

Mitigating, Gabriella Black said her client suffers from ADHD and issues with anger for which he was prescribed medication though had ‘not been taking’ it.

“This was in the context of being involved in a situation with a group of people,” she said.

Nelson lives with his grandparents and was said to have acted ‘completely out of character’.

The court heard that he was wearing a pink balaclava at the time.

“He was trying to evade identification, should he be involved in violence?” District Judge Hirst said.

“He accepts he was involved in this violence,” Ms Black said. “He brought a pink balaclava, though he was clearly identified by witnesses. He was not thinking properly, he was immature and naive to the gravity of the consequences of the offences he committed.”

Jailing him for two months, DJ Hirst said: “You attended that violence with the intent of causing trouble. You were involved in the appalling and shameful violent disorder that impacted not just the national community, but in particular the Bolton community.

“I accept you may have difficulties but I understand that everyone involved in that violence has difficulties.”

She added that an immediate custodial sentence would ‘deter others from damaging police vehicles’.

Manchester Evening News

Far-right extremist who hosted terror websites viewed by Buffalo gunman jailed

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August 2, 2024
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Colin McNeil, from Leeds, was given an extended sentence over the two websites that spread far-right propaganda.

A far-right extremist who hosted terror websites viewed by Buffalo gunman Payton Gendron has been jailed for seven years.

Colin McNeil, from Leeds, was given an extended sentence over the two websites that spread far-right propaganda, glorified Hitler and encouraged terrorism.

The 46-year-old was told he will spend seven years in custody and four years on extended licence after pleading guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to four offences of disseminating a terrorist publication.

He will also be subject to a terrorist notification order for 30 years.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the websites hosted by McNeil honoured men who committed racist mass killings, including Brenton Tarrant, who murdered 51 people in and around two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019.

He did not create the material but provided a platform for it to reach its audience, which included people who were inclined towards terrorism, police said.

Among the users of the website was Gendron, 18, who went on to murder 10 people in a mass shooting at a grocery shop in Buffalo in the US in 2022.

The CPS said evidence was able to show his engagement with the websites through likes and comments on racist material hosted on them.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said the website was “deliberately, and very publicly, unmoderated”, with McNeil admitting in a police interview that he knew the site had been “swamped” by material supporting extreme right-wing ideologies.

McNeil benefited financially from the websites, receiving donations from users, and also used the sites to express his own racist views.

One of the sites, which operated like a typical social media platform, had 5,716 members, with 255,960 photos and 6,499 videos uploaded.

The other site, set up for videos, hosted 12,345 members and contained 79,284 videos.

This site also had an option to upgrade to a “pro” member for 50 US dollars (£39), which would allow the user to post ad-free videos, sell videos, and to livestream.

Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Colin McNeil allowed his websites to operate as propaganda platforms for far-right terrorist material.

“He profited from the sites in the form of donations from users, and it is clear that others were inspired by the hateful and racist material they were able to access online – including those from overseas.

“McNeil’s actions were quite deliberate; he knew full well that there was a risk that terrorism would be encouraged and yet he permitted access to such material anyway.”

McNeil was arrested in March 2022 following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

London Evening Standard

“Smiling and sharpening my knife”: Greater Manchester man encouraged violence against minority groups

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July 28, 2024
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Counter terrorism police arrested Sean Dowd after he was found to be behind a social media account that shared material with the intention of stirring up racial hatred

A man from Greater Manchester was has been found guilty of posting extremist material online with the intention of stirring up racial hatred.

Sean Dowd, 61, of Edgar Street in Ramsbottom, was arrested by counter terrorism officers in March 2023 after being identified as the person behind a social media account which had shared scores of antisemitic, racist, and xenophobic posts.

A number of these posts encouraged violence against various communities and praised those who had previously carried out terrorist attacks.

At the time of his arrest, Dowd’s account had 200 followers and the bio on his profile stated: “smiling and sharpening my knife”.

Sean Dowd (15/02/1963), of Edgar Street, Ramsbottom, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 25 July 2024) to 27 months in prison.

Dowd had previously pleaded guilty to 10 counts of publishing/distributing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting, intending to stir up racial hatred contrary to Section 19(1) of the Public Order Act 1986.

He also pled guilty to three counts of publishing/distributing written material which was threatening, intending to stir up religious hatred contrary to Section 29(C) of the Public Order Act 1986.

Appearing at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday, July 25, 2024, a judge sentenced Dowd to 27-months in prison

Speaking after the sentencing, Head of CTPNW (Counter Terrorism Police North West) Investigations, Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks said: “Over several months, Sean Dowd repeatedly shared offensive posts online which encouraged violence and anger towards minority communities.

“Unfortunately, we know all too well just how serious an impact the online activity of hateful individuals can have so I welcome the custodial sentence imposed by the judge today.

“This is another case which highlights the potential dangers of negative online activity so I would like to take this opportunity to continue to urge anybody who comes across hateful, violent, or extremist content to please report it to the police urgently so that action can be taken.”

Manchester Evening News

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

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

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February 11, 2023
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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

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

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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