A 15-year-old boy accused of plotting a terrorist attack on a synagogue had written a detailed 'to-do list' for acquiring weapons and building explosives, a court has heard.
Bedroom Adorned with Extremist Symbols
Jurors at Leeds Crown Court were told that when police raided the Northumberland home the teenager shared with his father on 20 February 2025, they discovered his bedroom was decorated with white supremacist flags. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, is alleged to have amassed an arsenal after joining the banned far-right group known as 'The Base'.
The court heard that in a journal, the teenager had outlined a plan which included a chilling checklist. This 'to-do list' instructed him to: "get more crossbow bolts, body armour, build more muscle, plan, practice, set year, write manifesto, build main bomb".
Christmas Day Spent Researching Killers
Prosecutors detailed how the boy spent the 2024 festive period immersed in violent extremist research. On Christmas Eve, he searched for a video on making a homemade black powder rifle and researched Arda Kucukyetim, an 18-year-old who livestreamed a mass stabbing in Turkey in August 2024.
On Christmas Day itself, the court heard he researched school shooters and watched a video about a homemade 'zip gun'. The day after Boxing Day, he shared a picture with 'The Base' showing him posing with an air rifle while wearing a skull mask and German military camouflage.
Manifestos and Manuals for a 'Race War'
The jury was told the teenager described himself in messages as an "eco-fascist" and "accelerationist" – someone who seeks to hasten societal collapse through violence. He expressed a desire to "be a part of a group that is active".
His writings, read to the court, stated: "I think the main reason I'm targeting the police and government is that they are the reason white people are killed raped and discriminated against by the invaders." He added that his goal was to "inspire others" and "start a race war in the UK", ending with a note that he alone should be charged.
Further evidence included downloads of extremist material, such as the manifesto of Stephan Balliet, who attacked a synagogue in Halle, Germany, in 2019, and a document titled the White Resistance Manual. On New Year's Eve, he searched for information on homemade .22 ammunition and the FGC-9, a 3D-printed firearm.
The teenager denies all charges, which include:
- Preparing acts of terrorism.
- Membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation (The Base).
- Possession of terrorist documents.
- Dissemination of terrorist documents.
The trial at Leeds Crown Court continues.
