A man who denied the existence of the Covid-19 pandemic has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after using a Telegram group to call for a violent armed insurrection against the British Government.
A Relentless Campaign of Online Incitement
Paul Martin, a 60-year-old from Croydon, south London, joined a group called 'The Resistance UK' in December 2020. Over the following months, he became one of its most prolific members, authoring a staggering 16,000 posts aimed at stirring up violent dissent. His messages accounted for a remarkable four per cent of all traffic within the 8,000-member forum.
Martin, using the online alias 'Perpetual Truth', propagated extreme conspiracy theories. He claimed the pandemic was a 'hoax' and labelled vaccines a 'poison designed to kill people'. His rhetoric escalated to explicit calls for violence, urging followers to prepare for war with weapons including AK-47 rifles, petrol bombs, and rocket launchers.
Arrest and Arsenal of Weapons
When police arrested Martin at his home in September 2021, they discovered a cache of weapons. The seized items included:
- A stun gun disguised as a torch
- Two crossbows with bolts
- A large knife
- Multiple air guns
- Several drones
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Martin was found guilty of encouraging terrorism. However, he was cleared of possessing the blades, crossbows, and arrows for terrorist purposes.
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced Martin to three years and three months imprisonment, stating his actions had been reckless. The judge reflected on the volatile context of the pandemic, a period of 'greatest volatility, insecurity and upheaval' with daily reports of significant deaths.
Judge Marks noted that within the 8,000-strong Telegram group, a 'not insignificant number' could have been impressionable or sympathetic to Martin's calls for a violent uprising. He described the defendant's belief system as a 'firm and incessant' denial of the pandemic and the vaccine's purpose.
The court heard mitigating factors, including that Martin was isolated, drinking heavily, and had lost his job at the time of the offences. His defence barrister, Dominic Thomas, argued the forum provided a 'social setting' otherwise missing from his life and that his motivation was a desire to integrate. He stated Martin had since stopped drinking, secured stable employment, and removed himself from the internet.
During his trial, Martin dismissed his own posts as 'pure fantasy', 'gibberish', and 'twaddle', insisting he would never hurt anyone.
