Gabrielle Friel: Man on trial over Edinburgh terrorism charges

Gabrielle Friel is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh

A man has gone on trial accused of preparing to commit an act of terrorism in Edinburgh.

Prosecutors allege Gabrielle Friel was in possession of a crossbow, 15 crossbow arrows, a machete and a ballistic vest in the city last year.

The 22-year-old is accused of expressing a desire to carry out a "spree killing mass murder."

It is alleged he expressed an affinity with a mass murderer who was motivated by Incels - "involuntary celebates".

On the opening day of the trial, the High Court in Edinburgh was told that Gabrielle Friel was seen by a social worker and a psychiatrist after stabbing a police officer at Edinburgh College's Granton campus in 2017.

A former classmate told the court that on the day of the stabbing Mr Friel told him he planned to carry out a knife attack in the cafeteria because he was being bullied online.

The High Court heard agreed evidence that two years later, in the summer of 2019, Mr Friel ordered weapons, including a crossbow and machete, to be delivered to his home in the city.

His psychiatrist Dr Alexander Quinn told the court he met him at an outpatient clinic at around this time after his social worker emailed him with concerns.

He said his client appeared "desperate, suicidal and was angry with the world".

Dr Quinn said he was "really worried" after Mr Friel showed him images of body armour and a crossbow he had bought online, and called the police who detained him.

Earlier the court had heard that Mr Friel's social worker Sarah Drummond had emailed the psychiatrist to report that he was "very fixated on (almost idolising) Elliot Rodgers (Californian spree killer in a university) and he feels just like him".

However, under cross examination, Ms Drummond said he had also told her he did not intend to harm anyone.

Mr Friel has denied all the charges against him, and the trial continues.