A 16-year-old from Northumberland has been sentenced to three and a half years in custody for multiple terrorism offences, following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted earlier this year at Leeds Crown Court after a three-week trial. He was found guilty of offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, as well as possession and distribution of terrorist publications. He will also serve an additional year on extended licence and be subject to a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
Police said the case followed an intelligence-led operation in February 2025, when the individual, then aged 15, was arrested at his home. Officers later examined digital devices seized during the investigation, recovering 4.8 terabytes of data and more than 250,000 messages. The teenager had been active across 25 online groups associated with extreme right-wing ideology on platforms including Telegram, Snapchat, TikTok and Wire.
Searches of the home also uncovered a range of items including knives, a crossbow, airsoft weapons, body armour and materials linked to the construction of explosive devices. Investigators said the evidence pointed to what they described as an entrenched extremist mindset, developed alongside extensive online activity.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said: “We welcome the sentence handed down today and hope it acts as a warning to all about the dangers of extreme online content which can have real life consequences.” He added that police and partner agencies continue to address the risks posed by extremist material online and highlighted the role of early intervention through the Prevent programme.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Waring said the case underscored the risks associated with online content, particularly for younger individuals. “This case highlights the dangers which exist online and the type of material young people can access,” he said, urging the public to report concerns through official channels.
Bang to rights guv innit? That well known hate symbol (the Union Jack) was on his wall – someone better have a quiet word with the PM the next time he wraps himself up in one when the women’s football team win a game 🙄..
At his home.
At 15? So assume still living at home with his family, and they do not notice his armoury?!
Couldn’t see the reading materials, you used to be able to get the Anarchists cookbook and all sorts with the mail order military book society I belonged to in the 80s.
He is autistic. I cannot comment further.
The Union Flag is upside down.
So this lad is now going to be branded a ‘terrorist’ for the rest of his life. For starters its 2026, and we live in a world where everything you ever wanted to watch, read or view is out there in the public domain. All manner of people look at all kinds of stuff online.
Maybe I’m just a div, but I’m struggling to understand how a black plastic bb gun and a Union Jack gets you3 years, and a further year on licence. Way back when, you could walk into a chemist and purchase flower of sulfur, saltpeter (potassium Nitrate) and charcoal. You and some ‘friends’ could then have a dabble, in making gunpowder.
The moral… we as kids were potentially far more dangerous than a 15 year old, with a fetish about terrorist activity.
Please see my response to Danielle above. A large wheel to break a butterfly.
Wow dude. That be the case, the authorities should be ashamed of themselves. The ‘punishment’ is way beyond ridiculous!
Yes but those were the days when H&S started and ruined childhood. Clacker Balls, Conkers, Snow Ball Fights at school all banned due to safety concerns, thankfully I went to School where some of the Teachers were slightly rebellious.
An A grade in Chemistry was awarded for one lad who built his own cannon using a scaffold Tube, pram and Gunpowder and another got caned for Snowballing with 2 Teachers.
His Mum managed to get into the local Paper as she made an appointment to discuss it with the Headmaster and was so annoyed with his answers she caned him !
On the other hand banning “close lining” from Rugby was probably a good move as these days you can’t get into a Dentist. 🤷🏻
This is what happens when you have an endophobic government that promotes Islamization in power: a serious crime to have a British flag in your home in the United Kingdom. Obviously, if that government is there, it’s because millions of endophobes vote for them.
Brutal censorship, always directed in one direction and with one intention: to be British and display a British flag in Great Britain is considered hateful by this government and its voters who hate their own country.