Three family members convicted of terrorism offences

Three members of the same family have been convicted of creating, performing and distributing neo-Nazi music which encouraged terrorism and incited racial hatred.

Robert Talland, 56, and his children Stephen, 36, and Rosie, 34, from Essex were found guilty of multiple charges of stirring up racial hatred. Robert was also found guilty of two offences of encouraging terrorism.

Robert was a leader of the ‘Blood & Honour’ neo-Nazi movement, which organised music festivals and sold merchandise for far right and extreme right wing rock bands. He also worked as a producer for the music label ‘Rampage Productions’ which distributed CDs for white power music bands. His children played for the band ‘Embers of an Empire’ which Robert managed.

All three members of the family were arrested in October 2020, after a year-long investigation by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

During a nine-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, the court heard how Robert Talland had organised a gig at the Corpus Christi Club in Leeds on September 21, 2019, at which ‘Embers of an Empire’ performed songs which called for racist violence. CCTV footage showed people at the gig making Nazi salutes.

Searching Robert's home, officers found hundreds of CDs from white power bands which he was distributing under his record label, alongside Blood & Honour merchandise and banners covered in neo-Nazi imagery.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “Robert, Stephen and Rosie Talland were part of a network of hatred which had encouraged violence and extreme right wing terrorism across Europe for decades.

“Robert Talland dismissed the group as an ‘old man’s drinking club’, but through the gigs and events they organised, they promoted music which glorified acts of murder to audiences which included young children. In doing so, they encouraged attitudes of hatred, intolerance and violence which have no place in our society.

“The verdicts today come after a lengthy and detailed investigation into the Talland family and their activities. Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to targeting the people who encourage racist violence by bringing them to justice.