Dihan Rahman, 19, owned guides on how to build bombs and also had pro-ISIS and extreme right-wing material

A teenager who threatened to “ruin prom” and had bomb-making videos and a terrorist manual has been jailed.

Dihan Rahman, 19, was sentenced to four years and six months for terrorism, stalking offences and making indecent images of children at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Rahman, from Southall, was found to have downloaded guides on how to build bombs and also had content related to various terrorist ideologies, including incel, pro-ISIS and extreme right-wing material.

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) detectives found that Rahman was the administrator of the far-right wing Strumjäger Group on encrypted messaging app Telegram and had frequently expressed antisemitic views after analysing his mobile phone and computer, including an encrypted hard drive.

The teenager had pleaded guilty to three charges of possession of documents of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, as well as stalking two teenage girls and a female teacher, in February.

Rahman was accused of stalking and threatening two teenage girls when one of the girls rejected him romantically shortly after he moved to a new school.

He then bombarded her with messages on social media, doxxed her and her friends’ details to encourage harassment online, and visited locations he knew they would be.

Rahman also posted images to social media in which he tagged the venue for the school prom alongside a photograph of a German Nazi soldier in a forest holding a gun. The event was moved for security reasons, with extra security added.

When his behaviour was reported to the school, Rahman had his phone confiscated by a teacher, who saw images of him dressed in army uniform with the words “kill yourself” and another with the caption “who’s in for a Valentines school shooting”.

There were also images of Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, beheadings, dead bodies and violent images of women being hurt and strangled, and a manifesto he had written was found in his school bag.

Rahman would go on to stalk the teacher who had found the images and manifesto after the school contacted the police, and he was arrested in November 2024 after CTP detectives found that he had posted details of the girls and teacher online suggesting they were involved in a “conspiracy” in relation to the investigation into him.

He was subsequently remanded in custody and pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of Indecent Images, and three counts of stalking.

Rahman originally admitted to owning the documents but claimed he didn’t know that they contained information that would help a terrorist.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London said: “This case is yet another example of a growing and concerning trend of young people being drawn into extremist, violent and terrorist ideologies – principally from what they are exposed to and consuming online.

“Rahman’s actions towards his victims – two of whom were teenage girls – were completely unacceptable and I want to praise their incredible courage and resilience throughout this whole ordeal. I would also like to praise the actions of Rahman’s teachers, who contacted police with their concerns, which enabled us to intervene and investigate when we did.

“With the threat level now raised to severe, everyone can play their part to keep themselves and their communities safe. If you see or hear anything that doesn’t look or feel right, then please report it to us. Your information could help us save lives.”

Bethan David, Head of Counter Terrorism for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:“Dihan Rahman was driven by his extreme ideologies and misogynistic views.

“He was an administrator of an extreme far-right group that is known for its encouragement of violence, he had material containing pro-ISIS, far-right views and depicting violence against women.

“His derogatory views about women and his interest in mixed extreme ideologies drove him to commit the stalking offences causing considerable fear and distress to his victims, who have described the effect his actions have had on them.

“Today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of his crimes, and I hope can bring some closure to his victims, my thoughts remain with them.”

Evening Standard

Alfie Coleman, 21, found guilty of planning the attack after being snared by MI5 in an undercover sting

A Neo-Nazi teenager plotted to carry out a mass gun attack but was foiled as he tried to buy a gun in an east London car park.

Alfie Coleman, 21, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Thursday of preparing for terrorist acts after being snared by MI5 in an undercover sting.

He was 19 when armed police swooped to arrest him outside a Morrisons supermarket in Stratford on September 29, 2023.

Coleman, from Great Notley in Essex, had arranged with an undercover officer to buy a Makarov pistol, five magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition.

Jurors saw dramatic video of Coleman dropping £3,500 in a Land Rover Discovery and picking up a holdall containing the handgun and ammunition from the boot.

Before he had gone 30 yards, Coleman, who was carrying his Tesco employee card, was confronted by armed counter-terrorism police and forced to the ground.

A search of the home he shared with his parents and sibling revealed the extent of Coleman’s murderous ideology, including idolising Thomas Mair, the extremist who killed MP Jo Cox.

Police found £2,500 in savings and a device to detect bugs and secret cameras in his bedside drawer; a rock with a Swastika on a table; a Black Sun flag associated with neo-Nazism on the wall; and various extreme right wing books.

Police also seized a collection of knives from his bedside drawer and on top of his chest of drawers, a small stone axe, an air rifle and a flyer about target shooting.

An analysis of his electronic devices revealed that in July 2021, Coleman had emailed the far-right white supremacist organisation Patriotic Alternative saying he “would like to start participating in activism”.

He went on to write down plans for potential terrorist attacks such as hijacking a plane and targeting the home of the Lord Mayor of London.

They involved putting explosives in a cash machine as well as the use of knives and crossbows, the court was told.

He was “seething with hatred” as he created an list of people at work who had “upset” him in September 2022, prosecutor Nicholas De La Poer KC had said.

Among those he singled out was a white female co-worker who was married to a man of mixed Indian and Seychellois heritage.

Coleman said he was “captivated” by an extreme right wing book which commemorated public hangings of “white race traitors”.

The defendant’s “manifesto” drew inspiration from several extremist mass killers who he regarded as “warriors”.

Six days before his arrest, Coleman posted a picture of a man armed with an automatic gun and wearing a balaclava, and commented: “Coming soon here my man.”

Two days before he was due to pick up the Makarov in Stratford, he wrote: “Just something has gotta be done, how long can we sit here and talk over the internet.”

The same day, Coleman ordered a Gerber Strong Arm knife with a 4.8 inch blade online.

Giving evidence, Coleman described being lonely and suffering with his mental health during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

He had admitted attempting to possess both a firearm and ammunition but denied he was preparing for a terrorist attack.

He had pleaded guilty to possessing 10 documents with information likely to be useful to terrorists such as texts on weaponry and bomb-making instructions.

Thursday’s guilty verdict followed a retrial at the Old Bailey. Coleman was remanded into custody to be sentenced on July 8.

Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan, head of operations for the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said “The verdict shows the success of counter terrorism policing and MI5 working together and that’s what we do day in day out.

“Alfie Coleman is a really dangerous individual, and through our work, we were able to thwart any attack and manage that risk to the public.

“Securing the evidence of Coleman physically exchanging the money for firearms provided the prosecution team with the evidence that shows Coleman was fully prepared and committed to carry out an attack way beyond simply typing out ideas of fantasy on his computer.

“The fact he’s seeking out automatic weapons shows that his intention wasn’t to identify one individual and attack one individual.

“Clearly he had grievance towards specific individuals but his intention seemed to be more towards a mass attack and planning that and creating that sort of race war. That was his mindset.”

Ms Flanagan said Coleman’s was an “acute” example of a growing trend of children becoming radicalised online and drawn into terrorism.

“Sadly in this case, it’s ultimately led to him developing a plan and desire to go out and kill innocent people,” she said.

“Whilst this is rare and shocking, unfortunately we’re starting to see this more and more in our casework, so this is not unique.”

She added that it was “vital” parents take an interest in what their children are doing online and if necessary initiate “difficult conversations”.

Evening Standard

A MAN from Bangor who downloaded terrorist documents has been spared jail.

Ashton Rees “boasted” about making a pipebomb after downloading these documents, and “experimented” with making his own, some of which he buried in woodland and were not recovered.

Rees, 21, of Caernarfon Road, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment and a 12-month licence period, suspended for two years, at Liverpool Crown Court today (April 1).

He was convicted after a trial last month of four counts of possessing a document containing information useful to terrorism.

The court heard that the documents found on Rees’ phone including the Anarchists’ Cookbook and instructions to make homemade firearms and explosives.

He had shared some of the documents with others, including via the website Reddit, and he retained the documents for about 18 months.

Photos of Rees wearing a skull mask, which the court heard he knew was associated with the far-right, and paramilitary-style clothing were also discovered on his phone.

When his university room was searched in February 2024, police found knives and skull masks – Rees has since been expelled from university, where he was studying marine biology.

He also developed a friendship with Aristedes Haynes, a former RAF cadet from South Wales who was convicted in 2023 after daubing a Windrush mural with Nazi symbols.

Rees initially encountered Mr Haynes via a group chat, and initially thought he was “ridiculous,” but later consider him a friend.

It was not alleged by the prosecution that Rees is or was a terrorist, or planned any terrorist activity.

Judge Brian Cummings KC said Rees “at times took an unhealthy interest in topics such as mass shootings and political assassinations”.

On Rees’ creation of home-made weapons, the judge told him: “You certainly experimented, and whatever you did make, you disposed of.”

The defendant, who was supported by his mother and father, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as a child, and was described in court as “psychologically vulnerable”.

He had no previous convictions, had not re-offended since his arrest, and has married since these offences, taking on caring responsibilities for his wife.

Rees found employment following his expulsion from university, but his job was also said to be at risk because of his conviction.

Sentencing, Judge Cummings told Rees: “You did not plead guilty – you should have, but I do accept you were genuine when you expressed remorse to your probation officer, and told her you were ashamed of your behaviour.

“You and your parents are, no doubt, relieved that you’re not immediately going to prison, but do not lose sight of the position you are in.

“For the next two years, that special two-year custodial sentence hangs over your head. I don’t want to see you again.”

Judge Cummings said a suspended sentence in Rees’ case “best serves the public interest,” as opposed to immediate custody, which he said could be “destructive”.

Rees will complete 60 days’ rehabilitation activity and 200 hours’ unpaid work, and was made subject to a two-year prohibited activity requirement.

He must adhere to counter-terrorism notification requirements for 10 years.

North Wales Chronicle

A teenager has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years, with a further year of supervision, after claiming to have joined a banned neo-Nazi group.

The 16-year-old-boy from Northumberland, who cannot be named because of his age, was found guilty of being part of the paramilitary group The Base, which believes in race war and white supremacy.

He was also convicted of possessing and sharing terror publications and sentenced at Leeds Crown Court.

The jury was unable to agree a verdict on a charge that he was planning a terror attack on Newcastle synagogues and the prosecution said it would not apply for a retrial on that count.

Counter terror police raided the teenager’s home in February 2025, when he was 15, and discovered an “arsenal” of weapons, including a crossbow, knives and a gas-powered air pistol.

Police said he was part of extreme right-wing online chat groups on platforms such as Telegram, Snapchat, TikTok and Wire.

The defence had told jurors the boy denied “he ever actually intended to carry out any act of terrorism” and they needed to consider his life experience.

Sentencing, Judge Wall said the boy genuinely held extremist, antisemitic views, and he experienced a difficult childhood, suffered bullying, was isolated and struggled with friendships.

He said the teenager must spend another 15 months in detention, having already been in custody since his arrest.

He will then be supervised and monitored in the community for another 26 months.

The judge told the boy, who attended court via a videolink: “You will have to do what you are told by the people who are supervising you and it will be their job to help you come to terms with what you have done and to stay out of trouble in the future.”

The judge said the boy had an “unhealthy interest in weapons, wars and paramilitary items and this obsession led you to exploring the darker world of extreme right-wing organisations”.

He will be subject to a criminal behaviour order which will restrict his use of computers and the internet.

There had been an application by the media to name the teenager, which was rejected.

Ch Supt Kevin Waring, area commander for Northumberland, said: “We are fortunate to live and work within such close-knit communities, and we recognise the impact cases such as this can have on us all.”

BBC News

A man has been sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment for terrorism offences.

Nicholas Gilpin, 23, had “an extreme right-wing mindset” and had shared “racist, antisemitic and white supremacy views” with others, Thames Valley Police said.

Gilpin, of Dippingwell Court, Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire, was sentenced on Thursday at Woolwich Crown Court after being found guilty in October following a four-week trial.

Gilpin was convicted of four counts of possessing terrorist information, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000, one count of encouragement of terrorism, contrary to section one of the Terrorism Act 2006, and two counts of stirring up racial hatred.

He was arrested and his electronic devices were seized at a property near Hereford on 18 October 2021 by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE).

Following examination of Gilpin’s devices, documents containing racist and antisemitic rhetoric were found along with instructions on how to kill people with close combat weapons, details on how to use weapons and make explosives, chemical weapons and firearms, the court heard.

Gilpin was found to have distributed videos and written material on the Telegram messaging app that intended to stir up racial hatred or was likely to do so.

On 16 March 2021, Gilpin published a statement on the same online app to encourage terrorism.

He was charged in connection with the offences on 20 January 2023.

Ch Supt Claire Finlay, the had of CTPSE, said: “From our investigation it is clear that Gilpin held an extreme right-wing ideology – sharing his racist and antisemitic views with others online – and was in possession of terrorist documents which had the sole aim of causing harm to our society.”

BBC News

A 16-year-old boy from Northumberland has been found guilty of being part of a banned neo-Nazi organisation.

A jury at Leeds Crown Court unanimously convicted him of membership of the paramilitary group The Base, as well as possessing and sharing terror publications.

They were unable to reach a decision on the most serious allegation he faced – that he was preparing acts of terrorism – and the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it would not seek a retrial.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, will be sentenced on 27 March.

Counter terror police raided the teenager’s home last February and said it discovered an “arsenal” of weapons, including a crossbow, knives and a gas-powered air pistol.

The jury were shown images of the boy’s bedroom where police found a replica Nazi Schutzstaffel (SS)-style cap, a full-sized skeleton with a mask, and posters relating to The Base.

The defence had told jurors the boy denied “he ever actually intended to carry out any act of terrorism” and they needed to consider his life experience.

Police said the teenager, who was 15 at the time he was arrested, was part of extreme right-wing online chat groups on platforms such as Telegram, Snapchat, TikTok and Wire.

Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “This case provides a stark reminder around the dangers of extreme content online that is accessible to the public and how individuals can be drawn into serious offending.”

The defendant told the court he created an online persona to escape reality and his use of online platforms and social media escalated through his childhood.

The jury heard the banned group the boy joined, The Base, believed in race war and wanted to bring about the collapse of society to create a “white supremacist utopia”.

Steven Rai, from research and advocacy group Institute for Strategic Dialogue, said it was not the only case of a minor being connected with the organisation, with young people also being arrested in Italy and the Netherlands for membership.

He said: “I think it is a very alarming sign of how youth are being increasingly drawn to some of these extremist networks.”

BBC News

The 60-year-old believed he was preparing for a ‘race war’ against Muslims and stockpiled guns, explosives and homemade grenades

A criminal network peddling firearms on the streets of London run by a lorry driver preparing for a “race war” has been smashed by police.

Thomas McKenna, 60, ran a gun-conversion operation out of a caravan on a travellers’ site in South Ockenden, Essex.

McKenna was reportedly preparing for what he called a “race war” against Muslims that he believed was coming by stockpiling guns, explosives, and homemade grenades.

The 60-year-old converted blank-firing pistols into live guns and sold them to gangs across London.

Following a police raid, he was arrested and has now been jailed for 16 years.

According to police, he was a key supplier of firearms to criminals, and since his arrest, rates of gun violence in London have dropped significantly.

McKenna used social media to contact others about the “race war” he believed was coming, sending messages on TikTok saying: “get yourself ready”, and expected to use the weapons he had collected to shoot or kill Muslims.

Prosecutor Emily Dummett previously told Kingston Crown Court that McKenna sent messages describing plans to “kill”, “shoot”, “unalive” and “neutralise” Muslims and immigrants, “before there are too many”.

The court heard how in one message, he wrote: “Bro, that’s why I believe our only course for survival freedom is strike now while we have the numbers and hard unalive the f****** lot of them.”

He carried out his operation with self-taught DIY skills, converting guns using a lathe and a drill out of one of his three caravans.

Six reactivated blank-firing guns linked to McKenna have already been recovered by police, but officers believe he created more.

McKenna’s partner, 55-year-old bus driver Tina Smith, pleaded guilty to several charges, including collecting terrorist information and possessing banned guns.

In the caravan the couple shared, they kept improvised explosive devices containing black powder, nails, and fishing hooks.

The couple is believed to have slept in the caravan where the weapons were kept.

McKenna, Smith, and eight others have been convicted of involvement in the firearms operation that sold guns to gangs across London.

The 60-year-old was hit with a 16-year sentence on custody, with five years on extended licence, at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Evening Standard

He used his accounts to encourage attacks on non-whites, share far-right bomb-making manuals and circulate pictures of neo-Nazi stickers in a playground in his local area.

A father has been jailed for more than four years after he used social media to try and recruit a “battalion” of followers to kill non-whites when he became radicalised after his wife left him.

Tygue Crowther, 36, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire used his account on Twitter, now X, to encourage attacks between October 2023 and June 2024 before it was shut down.

He also shared far-right bomb-making manuals on the Telegram social media site and circulated pictures of neo-Nazi stickers in a playground in his local area.

John Greaney, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court many of the posts “voiced or implied support for the eradication of immigrants and non-whites”.

He added: “The posts also included video material showing graphic clips of attacks on non-whites and glorifying violence against non-whites at the hands of neo-Nazi thugs.”

His posts gathered “significant engagement”, including expressions of support from followers.

Crowther was also “actively seeking” to establish and develop a group he called the ‘United Whites Battalion’ (UWB), which he referred to in his X profile and his posts on X.

His posts were available to a wide audience at a time when “tensions over immigration and race relations were acute, as evidenced by responses from like-minded devotees of the extreme far-right doctrine,” Mr Greaney said.

The profile page of the account stated he was a “British, National Socialist, Accelerationist” and added: “No to immigration or multiculturalism. British people need to take action against the vermin entering our country.”

National Socialism was the ideology of the Nazi Party, and far-right accelerationism is a doctrine which seeks to encourage a race war by conducting terrorist attacks.

The main image was of a soldier wearing a skull facemask associated with the far-right while performing a Nazi salute against a backdrop of a rising sun, also linked to the far-right.

The profile picture had an octopus with a swastika image.

The octopus has become an antisemitic meme representing Jewish people controlling the world.

The title had a Union flag and stated: “Join UWB today”.

There was also a reference to the numbers 1488 in the biography, a code for a white supremacist slogan, and the words Heil Hitler.

Crowther claimed to a probation officer that he had been “preyed on by people on the far-right” after becoming “lonely, isolated and bored” when his wife left him in June 2019.

Judge Nathan Adams said he had “encouraged violence endangering life” by posting graphic videos glorifying violence on non-whites and supporting neo-Nazis.

“He put into the public domain offensive videos, and the duration was extensive and without filter,” he added.

“He was undoubtedly depressed and suicidal, but there is no clear link between that and his offending, and he appears to have been in a depressed state many years before.”

Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing North East, said: “Those that seek to divide our communities through sharing extremist material will be identified and brought to justice.”

Sky News