17-year-old pleads guilty to terrorism offences

A 17-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act and possession of documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

The teenager had planned an attack against Muslims.

The boy was found, armed, outside Inverclyde Muslim Centre, Greenock, on Thursday 23 January.

He had planned to use an airgun to keep worshippers inside the building, once he had set it on fire.

Previously, the boy had convinced the centre's imam that he wanted to become a Muslim. He had sometimes been left alone in the building, which enabled him to make sketches and videos of the layout. He also joined in prayers.

The court heard how the teenager had been radicalised since the age of 13, by social media including TikTok. He believed that white people were at war and had also 'developed sympathies' for the Nazi party.

He also created his own manifesto on his phone, in which he said he said he would die for his land. A list of his inspirations included Anders Breivik, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Irish fascist leader Eion O’Duffy.

He also had a list of dislikes including Keir Starmer, the prophet Mohammed and Jihadi John.

The teenager initially planned to carry out an attack at his school in Inverclyde. He had recordings of himself walking through the building and saying he planned to liquidate one of the offices. He also said he would plant bombs in the school canteen.

A search of his phone identified a copy of Mein Kampf, a copy of the Quran, and a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook. There were also weapons and ingredients for explosive substances.

The teenager appeared in court on Friday 11 July and pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act and possession of documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

He will be sentenced at a later date, pending background reports.