Man convicted of planning gun attack

A 21-year-old extreme-right wing terrorist has been convicted of plotting a terror attack.

Alfie Coleman had previously admitted 12 offences, but was also convicted at the Old Bailey of planning to commit a terrorist attack.

He was arrested after attempting to buy a gun and around 200 bullets, which he intended to use to carry out an attack.  

He was discovered by investigators, working under aliases, on online forums and encrypted messaging apps sharing extreme viewpoints, ideologies and seeking to purchase a weapon.  

Coleman accessed chat groups dedicated to weapons trafficking across Europe and sought detailed information on how to avoid border force security. Notes and conversations on different encrypted messaging services shows that he referenced taking action, or planning an attack, and it was found he had written up a previous plan for a terrorist attack in France.

Coleman was found to have terrorist manuals detailing how to make explosives and techniques on close combat killing, alongside manifestos from other right-wing extremists including the Christchurch attacker, Brenton Tarrant.  

He had also compiled a list of data, including car registrations, of people he believed to be ‘race traitors’, including colleagues and customers of the shop he worked in.

The prosecution created a timeline of Coleman’s activity which demonstrated how he  gradually shared more extreme views, sought advice on planning, considered targets and eventually began to source weaponry, including several knives and the firearm. 

Bethan David, Head of Counter Terrorism for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Today, a dangerous man who planned to commit a terrorist attack to further his extreme racist and white supremacist agenda, has been convicted.  

“Alfie Coleman took extraordinary measures to plan out his attack in detail and was intent on doing so.  

“He was motivated by an extreme ideology and hatred of people of other races and religions, he was clearly intent on acting on these ideas and causing harm.  

“Today’s guilty verdict, along with his earlier guilty pleas, show that he not only held extreme right-wing beliefs but wanted to act on them to cause pain and suffering. This was fortunately prevented and the public protected due to the work of the policing and prosecution team.”