Teen Neo-Nazi's Axe Attack and Call to Kill Jews and Muslims Revealed in Court
A far-right extremist teenager, obsessed with Nazi ideology, attempted to kill a stranger with an axe in a brutal street attack in Bristol, while simultaneously begging a friend to murder all Jews and Muslims across Britain. The shocking details emerged during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court, where the prosecution outlined a case marked by violent intent and extremist beliefs.
Violent Assault on Iranian Kurd in Bedminster
Alina Burns, who was 18 years old at the time, launched a premeditated assault on Mohammed Mahmoodi, a 27-year-old Iranian Kurd, as he stood outside a barber shop with a companion in the Bedminster area of Bristol on August 2 last year. Armed with an axe she had purchased specifically for the attack, along with a scalpel and multiple darts, Burns tried to strike Mr Mahmoodi on the neck in a potentially fatal blow.
Fortunately, the victim managed to duck out of the way, avoiding a direct hit, but he sustained scratches to his neck and cheeks during the struggle. When Burns attempted to hit him again, Mr Mahmoodi demonstrated remarkable bravery by disarming her, leading to her swift detention by police officers who arrived shortly after the incident.
Extremist Ideology and Disturbing Communications
The court heard that Burns, a member of the Neo-Nazi group Patriotic Alternative, harboured deeply entrenched racist and anti-Semitic views. She had decorated her bedroom with an England flag hung above her bed and maintained detailed notes about Adolf Hitler and the weaponry used by Germany during both World Wars. In one particularly chilling email sent to a friend, she explicitly wrote: 'Kill all Jews and Muslims in Britain, please.'
Prosecutor Serena Gates KC described Burns as having 'a desire for a white England, achieved, if necessary, through terror.' Police investigations uncovered further disturbing messages where Burns declared herself the 'embodiment of hell' and expressed a destiny to annihilate everything holy she witnessed. In another communication, she spoke of carrying out a 'plan' and seeking 'all the credit and glory' for her actions.
Pre-Attack Planning and Guilty Pleas
In the days leading up to the violent assault, Burns conducted extensive online research, including searches for 'how to properly use an axe for self-defence' and 'what age [can] you buy an axe?' She also watched YouTube videos about white supremacist Patrick Crusius, who murdered 23 people in a Walmart attack in 2019. Burns admitted to buying the axe from Screwfix with the explicit intention to 'kill or injure the man,' and she has pleaded guilty to attempted murder.
Additionally, she pleaded guilty to three charges of carrying a bladed weapon in a public place. Despite denying a terrorist motive, Burns conceded during a mental health assessment that it was 'fair enough' she was arrested for attempted murder. Alarmingly, she later stated she 'wanted to go on again but to succeed' and inquired whether the attack had made the news.
Police Investigation and Broader Implications
The incident was initially handled by Avon and Somerset Police before being escalated to counter-terrorism units due to the extremist nature of the case. This development underscores the growing concerns about far-right radicalisation among young people in the UK and the potential for isolated attacks to escalate into broader threats. The court proceedings continue to examine the full extent of Burns' motivations and connections, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance against hate-fuelled violence in communities across Britain.
