Right-wing Haworth teenager idolised convicted terrorists

The boy from Haworth was convicted after a trial at Leeds Crown Court

A 16-year-old boy who "idolised convicted international terrorists" has been found guilty of plotting a right-wing terror attack.

The boy, from Haworth, West Yorkshire, was 15 when he was arrested in June by counter-terrorism officers.

He was found guilty of an offence under section 5 of the Terrorism Act after a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

The teen admitted five further terror offences and possessing a knife and will be sentenced at a later date.

Leeds Crown Court heard the boy had conducted a scouting trip on a mosque in Keighley after stealing his father's Lexus car.

He then crashed the car into a fence, which led to his arrest.

Prosecutors said the boy held extreme right-wing views and had shown support for international terrorists such as Brenton Tarrant, who filmed himself as he shot 51 people in two mosques in New Zealand in 2019.

The boy was arrested after crashing his father's car

Jurors were shown a pictogram drawn by the boy in a notebook manifesto which shows a stickman surrounded by a swastika and an SS symbol as well as the names of some of the most notorious killers of recent years.

Police said he had a settled plan to conduct his own extreme right-wing-inspired attack in the summer of 2022.

The offences he pleaded guilty to included four charges of the dissemination of a terrorist publication and one of encouraging terrorism.

Following the verdict Counter Terrorism Policing North East (CTPNE) released images of a knife and a screwdriver found at the boy's address as well a sheet of paper covered in the names of convicted terrorists, right-wing symbols and anti-Semitic and anti-Islamic phrases.

A screwdriver and a knife were found hidden at the teenager's address

CTPNE said following his arrest officers had uncovered the "preparatory steps the defendant had made as part of his plan" adding that "his crude, extreme right-wing mindset was also apparent from his digital search history, where he idolised convicted international terrorists".

Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, head of CTPNE, said they were satisfied the boy had acted "in isolation".

He said: "We'd like to reassure the public that there is no specific or increased threat to local communities as a result of this case."

The officer urged anyone who was worried about someone "expressing extreme views or hatred" to come forward.

He added: "By contacting The ACT Early website you can access specially trained staff who will confidentially listen to your concerns and consider the right approach to get that person the help they need before they go too far."