Podcasters jailed for terrorism offences

Two men have been jailed for terrorism offences after an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

The duo used a podcast series to encourage listeners to commit violent acts against ethnic minorities and have been jailed for a combined total of 15 years.

Christopher Gibbons and Tyrone Patten-Walsh from London were identified as the hosts of a neo-Nazi online podcast by Met officers.

The podcasts included homophobic, racist, antisemitic, Islamophobic and misogynistic views, and on some occasions encouraged listeners to commit acts of terrorist violence.

It was also found that Gibbons had also created an online library containing hundreds of extreme right-wing texts and other material. The content in the online library and podcast was assessed and some of the material was found to be in breach of terrorism legislation.

The men were arrested in May 2021, and in August 2021 Met detectives charged them with a number of terrorism offences.

The pair were convicted of all charges following a trial at Kingston Crown Court in July.

At the same court on 4th January, Gibbons was sentenced to eight years in prison for eight counts of encouraging acts of terrorism, contrary to section one of the Terrorism Act 2006, and two counts of dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to section two of the Terrorism Act 2006. Patten-Walsh was sentenced to seven years in prison for eight counts of encouraging acts of terrorism.

They will also be subject to a 15-year-long Part 4 notification order and serve three years on licence when they are released, to reduce their ability to cause further harm.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “The material that Gibbons and Patten-Walsh shared is exactly the kind that has the potential to draw vulnerable people – particularly young people – into terrorism.

“We are determined to identify and hold to account individuals pushing this material. In this case, officers reviewed hours-upon-hours of material to present a compelling case.

“I hope this case and today’s sentencing sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those who share terrorist material or encourage others to become involved in terrorism.”

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