A 21-year-old man from East Yorkshire has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years after being convicted of planning a terrorist attack, according to Counter Terrorism Policing North East.
Jordan Richardson, from Howden near Goole, was sentenced on Thursday at Leeds Crown Court following a three-week trial in which he was found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism and multiple offences relating to the possession and dissemination of terrorist material.
Richardson was arrested in December 2024 after an intelligence-led investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, supported by Humberside Police, identified him as actively preparing an attack. Officers searching him at the time of arrest found handwritten notes outlining an attack plan, alongside ingredients and instructions for producing mustard gas. Further searches at his home uncovered weapons including a crossbow, crossbow bolts and a combat-style knife.
The court heard that Richardson had converted to Islam earlier in 2024 and rapidly became immersed in extremist ideology. Prosecutors said he researched bomb-making techniques, discussed potential targets including a shopping centre, and explored travel routes to locations such as Palestine, Syria and Iraq in support of his beliefs.
Investigators also found that Richardson had joined an online group on Instagram where he shared extremist content, including material linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda, as well as antisemitic and homophobic propaganda. He told others in online conversations that he identified as a terrorist and expressed a desire to carry out an attack himself.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the threat posed. “Jordan Richardson claimed that he was role playing as an Islamist terrorist online as escapism from the emotional challenges in his life. We welcome the sentence handed down today, which reflects the real-world threat he posed to the public,” he said.
Dunkerley added that Richardson’s radicalisation had occurred over a short period. “Richardson was drawn to the violent and disturbing online propaganda of the so-called Islamic State, which took him from being a new convert to Islam, to being a committed and dangerous extremist within a few short months,” he said.
He also urged members of the public to report concerns about radicalisation. “If anyone is concerned that someone they know is being drawn into extremism, I would urge them to trust your instincts and report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT. Reporting your concerns won’t ruin lives, but it could help us to save them,” Dunkerley said.
Thick as a plank to discuss on line as well. He’d obviously never heard of the NTAC.