Teen considered Isle of Wight Festival terror attack, court hears

The Isle of Wight Festival was a potential target for the boy, prosecutors said

A teenage Muslim convert considered carrying out a terrorist attack at the Isle of Wight Festival, a jury heard.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also drew up plans to stab people at his specialist school, Kingston Crown Court was told.

The FBI discovered messages relating to an alleged attack which was due to take place in July 2022, the court heard.

The 16-year-old denies preparing acts of terrorism, knife possession and disseminating terrorist publications.

Prosecutor Serena Gates told the court the boy developed an "Islamic extremist mindset" in late 2021.

At the age of 15, he researched weapons, vehicles and stab vests and obtained a knife, she said.

He also sent videos of beheadings and violence to online contacts, Ms Gates added.

The 16-year-old is on trial at Kingston Crown Court

The prosecutor said the boy repeatedly researched the festival in June 2022.

His internet search terms included "gun Isle of Wight", "fast lorry", "how many people are going to Isle of Wigh [sic] fest", "Isle of Wight Festival gate" and "Isle of Wight Festival gate names".

Jurors were told he also discussed his alleged plans with others online, and he received messages such as "I heard you were going to attack the festival is this true".

The prosecutor said: "Following the earlier searches for knives and what was permissible and/or justified under Islam, the prosecution say these further searches could only be in order to provide information... that would assist him in the planning of an attack.

"His first target appears to be the Isle of Wight Festival.

"It is clear, the prosecution say, that such specific searches were clearly not for the purpose of simply 'researching Islam'.

"It is clear therefore that at the time the defendant conducted his initial searches about the Isle of Wight Festival, he did so for the purposes of planning an attack, intending at the time of the searches that is what he would do and, it seems, told others about it."

'Unbelievers'

The defendant dropped the idea of attacking the music festival because he did not have access to a car, the jury heard.

The FBI alerted UK Counter Terrorism Police to an alleged terror plot by a user of the messaging app Discord, Ms Gates said.

After the boy was identified as the user and arrested, notes were found in his possession expressing hatred of "unbelievers", the prosecutor told the court.

One note said a staff member at his education provider "shouldn't feel safe", jurors heard.

Tutors became concerned about the boy's beliefs and considered referring him to the government's Prevent anti-radicalisation programme, the court heard.

However, one tutor said the teenager's conversion was initially assessed to be having a "positive impact" on his life.

The trial continues.