A 16-year-old boy from Northumbria, who cannot be named, is on trial at Leeds Crown Court accused of plotting a terror attack against synagogues. The teenager denies charges of preparing acts of terrorism, membership of the banned neo-Nazi group The Base, possession of terror documents, and sharing terror publications.
The Raid and the 'Arsenal'
Jurors heard that counter-terrorism police raided the boy's home in February last year. Officers discovered what was described in court as an "arsenal" of weapons. This collection included a crossbow, knives, a gas-powered air pistol, and air rifles.
Notably, the name "George Floyd" was found written on one of the airguns near the trigger. The discovery of suspected home-made explosives prompted a major response, with army bomb disposal experts and chemical, biological, and radiation specialists all called to the scene.
Disturbing Discoveries in the Bedroom
Images shown to the jury revealed the contents of the defendant's bedroom. Police found a replica SS-style cap, a full-sized skeleton wearing a mask, and posters supporting the proscribed organisation The Base. Matches and nails were found taped together, and a spent shotgun cartridge filled with white powder was also recovered.
The most chilling evidence, the court heard, came from the boy's personal journal. In an entry, he allegedly wrote: "I swear to God I just hate my f***ing school. I want to do horrible things to the people in my school. Some of them should be shot."
On the same page, he had allegedly ranked mass murderers, placing neo-Nazi terrorist Anders Breivik at the top of the list.
Alleged Links to Banned Terror Group
The court was told the teenager is accused of joining The Base, a group banned by the Home Secretary in 2021. Prosecuting barrister Michelle Heeley KC outlined that the group, founded in the USA, aims to collapse society by inciting a race war to establish a "white utopia."
The defendant is accused of researching synagogues in the Newcastle area shortly after watching footage of the Christchurch mosque attack in New Zealand.
Defence barrister Frida Hussain KC told the jury her client denies "he ever actually intended to carry out any act of terrorism." She urged jurors to consider the boy's life experience and whether there was an "alternative perspective" for his actions and possessions.
The trial at Leeds Crown Court continues.
