Teenager jailed after saying he wanted to carry out a school shooting

A teenager has been jailed after admitting to a charge under the Terrorism Act.

18-year-old Felix Winter admitted to a charge of breach of the peace and a charge under the Terrorism Act. He has now been sentenced to six years in prison.

The offences took place between 1 June 2022 and 31 July 2023 at an Edinburgh high school and elsewhere.

The teenager was obsessed with the Columbine High School massacre and told classmates he had a desire to carry out similar violence.

The court heard how the teenager had kept notes about the manufacture of cyanide and handguns. He also dressed up in a drama class with an imitation firearm for a film project.

Judge Lord Arthurson said that Winter was immersed in a pro-Nazi Discord group and had previously been referred to Prevent in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston from Police Scotland said: “This was an extremely complex and fast-moving investigation, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the diligence and hard work of the officers who worked tirelessly to gather the evidence and bring the perpetrator to justice.

“The inquiry also underlines the advantages of working closely in partnership as part of the Prevent programme, which promotes early intervention through tailored, diversionary support to individuals who may be susceptible to supporting or committing terrorism to help keep our communities safe.”