A teenager from Merseyside has been given a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order after admitting possession of terrorist material following a counter-terrorism investigation.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing terrorist material under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act. He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North West.
The court heard the teenager had developed an obsession with the perpetrator of the Southport murders and had researched high school shootings and incel-related content online. Police arrested him in August 2025 after he called 999 warning that he planned to carry out a mass stabbing and had gathered a collection of knives.
During a preparatory hearing at Liverpool Crown Court in January, the defendant pleaded guilty to the four terrorism offences but denied a charge of making threats to kill.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts of Counter Terrorism Policing North West said the case reflected a growing pattern seen by investigators. “This case sets out a deeply disturbing scenario which has been witnessed on far too many occasions in recent years. In this instance, a teenager was clearly influenced by the perpetrator of one of the most horrific attacks on young people this country has witnessed.”
He added: “It is another worrying example of the impact that access to the huge volume of extreme, violent and radicalising material online can have on vulnerable young minds. Sadly, it is now routine for Counter Terrorism Policing to be investigating young people for this type of serious offence.”
Bethan David, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division, said the case highlighted the risks posed by online radicalisation. “This was a deeply concerning case involving a young person who had been drawn towards extreme and violent ideology, with the potential for very serious harm.”
She added that the decision to prosecute had been taken after careful consideration of the evidence and the potential risk to the public.
The teenager had previously been referred to the government’s Prevent programme after teachers reported him expressing admiration for the ISIS terror group in 2021. A panel at the time concluded his behaviour was linked to autism rather than ideological extremism and determined there were no ongoing counter-terrorism concerns.
