Teenager jailed for possession of terrorist material

A 19-year-old from Southhall has been jailed after admitting to possessing terrorist material following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Dihan Rahman downloaded guides on how to build bombs as well as content related to various terrorist ideologies, including extreme right-wing and Islamist material.

Detectives from CTP London found the videos after they analysed his mobile phone and computer, including and encrypted hard drive.

The teenager also pleaded guilty to stalking two teenage girls and a female teacher.

The investigation started after Rahman was accused of stalking and threatening two teenage girls. He had attempted to date one of them and she turned him down.

Between February and June 2024, Rahman bombarded her with messages on social media. 

In May, he posted images of the venue for the school prom and a photograph of a German Nazi soldier in a forest holding a gun.

He also harassed another girl in a similar way and made a number of malicious complaints about a teacher.

Rahman was arrested in November 2024 after CTP detectives uncovered that he had posted details of the two girls and female teacher online and suggested they were involved in a ‘conspiracy’ in relation to the investigation into him. He pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of Indecent Images, contrary to S160 Criminal Justice Act 1988 and three counts of stalking, contrary to Section 4a Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

He also leaded guilty to three charges of possession of documents of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act, 2000 on the second day of his trial at the Old Bailey in February 2026.

He has now been sentenced to a custodial sentence of four years and six months. He must serve a minimum of two thirds of this sentenced in custody.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London said: “This case is yet another example of a growing and concerning trend of young people being drawn into extremist, violent and terrorist ideologies - principally from what they are exposed to and consuming online.

“Rahman’s actions towards his victims – two of whom were teenage girls - were completely unacceptable and I want to praise their incredible courage and resilience throughout this whole ordeal. I would also like to praise the actions of Rahman’s teachers, who contacted police with their concerns, which enabled us to intervene and investigate when we did.

“With the threat level now raised to severe, everyone can play their part to keep themselves and their communities safe. If you see or hear anything that doesn’t look or feel right, then please report it to us. Your information could help us save lives.”