Man who possessed plans to attack synagogue sentenced
A 19-year-old man has been sentenced for offences including possessing plans for carrying out an attack on a synagogue near Brighton.
On 14 June, at Winchester Crown Court in Brighton, May Reynolds was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment with five years on extended licence.
He will also be subject to a notification order for a period of 15 years.
At a trial in April, he was found guilty of one count of possessing an article for the purpose of terrorism, contrary to Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
He also previously pleaded guilty to five counts of collecting information which could be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and five counts of dissemination of terrorist publication, contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Reynolds was arrested by CTPSE officers on 27 June last year.
An examination of his mobile phone revealed a note detailing a plan to attack a synagogue near Brighton. The note included information about the entrances and exits of the synagogue, security cameras, a video of the location taken from Google Maps as well as key Jewish holidays.
On Reynold’s devices, officers also found material that was neo-Nazi and anti-semitic in nature alongside manuals, one of which detailed how to make a bomb.
Additionally, Reynolds was part of an online group who shared neo-Nazi material and posted extreme right-wing content that encouraged terrorism.
He was charged on 3 July last year.
Head of CTPSE, Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, said: “This is another case involving a young person following a toxic extreme right-wing terrorist and anti-semitic path. The fact Reynolds had such a detailed plan to attack a synagogue is really concerning.
“However, as a result of our investigation, Reynolds was prevented from progressing the plan into action, and the public have been protected.
“Communities have a key role to play in our work to combat terrorism. Please do continue to report things that are worrying or out of place. Even if you think it may be insignificant, it could be a vital piece of the jigsaw that stops a terrorist in their tracks.
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