Boy, 15, denies terrorist attack plan

The 15-year-old boy from Northumberland appeared at the Old Bailey

A 15-year-old boy accused of being part of a banned neo-Nazi group has denied planning a terrorist attack.

The youth, from Northumberland, is charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for committing acts of terrorism on or before 20 February and one count of membership of proscribed organisation The Base.

It is alleged the defendant planned to target a phone mast and that he had searched the internet for local synagogues.

Appearing via video-link at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial has been set for next year.

The Base, described as a right-wing white supremacist group, was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Home Office in July 2021.

The court was told the teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, began to discuss planning a terrorist attack with an unidentified individual earlier this year.

He is accused of acquiring equipment and weapons including a crossbow and of downloading extremist manuals.

The teenager, who was arrested on 20 February, faces a four to six-week trial beginning on 13 January next year at Leeds Crown Court.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said a further preparatory hearing would take place on 5 December.

The boy was remanded back into custody.