The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, was convicted of membership of a proscribed Neo-Nazi organisation called The Base. He was also found guilty of possessing and distributing terrorist publications.
A teenage right-wing extremist who had bomb-making kit at his home has been found guilty of terrorist offences. The 16-year-old was convicted of membership of a proscribed far-right Neo-Nazi organisation called The Base. Following a four-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, he was also found guilty of possessing and distributing terrorist publications.
He was cleared of the most serious charge of preparing acts of terrorism. Police found an “arsenal” of weapons, including a crossbow and knives, at his home in Northumberland in February 2025.
Anti terrorism officers found an array of weapons at his home along with Nazi paraphenalia and flags.
He will be sentenced on March 27.
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They downloaded a total of 253,005 messages from his computer.
The jury was shown images of his bedroom, including a replica of an SS officer’s cap, a flag of Rhodesia and a skeleton in a mask. Jurors were also read online exchanges with members of white supremacist groups and violent journal entries. The youth, who cannot be named, watched a video of the New Zealand mosque terror attack, then looked up synagogues in the Newcastle area. Frida Hussain KC, defending, told the trial that the boy was “desperately lonely”, had been “plagued” with thoughts of killing himself, and created an online persona as a distraction. During the trial, Miss Hussain asked him: “Writing in these terms about harming other people, was this anything you wanted to do in reality?” The defendant replied: “Just thoughts in my head. I never intended to harm anyone.” He was arrested aged 15 following a swoop by Counter Terrorism Policing North East at his home in Northumberland. Officers recovered body armour, masks, flags and components for explosives. There were also 22 weapons including knives, a crossbow and air soft rifles.
He was part of 25 extreme right wing online chat groups on platforms.
The teenager told the court he created an online persona to escape reality.
His use of online platforms and social media escalated through his childhood. Speaking after the verdicts, Det Chief Supt James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “This case provides a stark reminder of the dangers of extreme content online and how individuals can be drawn into serious offending. “Possession of terrorist publications and sharing them with others is a serious offence.
“The impact is not restricted to online activity. “All too often we see the real-world implications of individuals who have been influenced by such material or even motivated to plan or take part in terrorist activity, which is what we discovered here. “Unfortunately, we know that nationally more and more young people are being exposed to harmful content online.
“Internet Matters provides practical advice to parents on how to help their children navigate the ever-changing digital landscape. “Every year, thousands of reports from the public help police tackle the terrorist threat. If you see or hear anything that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT.
“You won’t be wasting our time. In an emergency, always call 999.” Chief Supt Kevin Waring, area commander for Northumberland, added: “We recognise the concern these type of cases can create, especially when they centre on an individual who has lived within our area. “We have worked closely with our partners throughout this case, including Counter Terrorism Policing, and thank them for their efforts and support.
“We want to reassure our communities that we are here for you and we are committed to working together to keep you safe.” *Web link: gov.uk/ACT.
