Man jailed after Worcestershire terrorist attack

A man has been sentenced to life or the attempted murder of another man at a hotel near Worcester, in April last year.

Callum Parslow was given a minimum term of 22 years and 8 months, after being found guilty at the end of a three-week trial at Leicester Crown Court in October 2024.

The court heard how Parslow carefully planned the attack, researching hotels housing asylum seekers, buying a knife from the US and preparing a manifesto.

Following the attack, he was arrested on a nearby canal towpath, before he was able to publish his manifesto.

Searching his address, police found several weapons, including an axe, a knife, a baseball bat and extreme right-wing material.

An investigation was carried out by Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, supported by West Mercia Police and the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing formally declared the attack terrorism.

West Mercia Police Local Policing Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills said: “I’d like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding at the time of the attack and in the days that followed while an investigation was carried out.

“Officers attended within minutes and thanks to help from two members of the public, were able to quickly arrest Parslow, preventing him from causing further harm. The weapon and key evidence was also secured, helping lead to his conviction.

“Attacks of this nature do not happen often in our communities but if they do we are prepared and will take swift action to protect the public. I’m pleased today’s sentence means a dangerous individual will now spend a considerable time in prison.”

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing in the West Midlands, Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst, said: “Detectives have worked tirelessly to secure this conviction together with our colleagues at West Mercia Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Parslow carried out a carefully planned attack with his extreme right-wing mindset targeting his victim based on his ethnicity. I hope today’s sentence brings some relief to the victim and the wider community.”