A teenager who plotted to carry out a terror attack inspired by the Southport killings at an Oasis concert in Cardiff has been jailed for 14 months.
Snapchat Messages Reveal Chilling Plans
McKenzie Morgan, 18, from Cwmbran in South Wales, admitted possessing a document useful for terrorism. The Old Bailey heard he told friends of his intention to target the Oasis concert in Cardiff on July 4. He also identified a dance school near his home as a potential target.
In disturbing Snapchat messages, Morgan praised Axel Rudakubana, the perpetrator of the Southport attacks, stating he wanted to commit a similar terrorist-style atrocity. He discussed trying to manufacture the deadly poison ricin in spring 2025. One concerned Snapchat user reported these messages to the police, leading to Morgan being referred to children’s mental health services.
Confession to Psychiatric Nurse and Arrest
The case escalated on June 2, 2025, when Morgan told a psychiatric nurse he wanted to hurt others and was planning a Rudakubana-style attack. This prompted police to arrest him. Officers seized his electronic devices, where they discovered a terrorist manual.
Further investigation of his communications revealed that in April 2025, he had sent a message asking ‘how to burn people’s faces’. He stated: ‘In my head I now have the motivation to go ahead with some sort of attack.’ In another chilling exchange, he sent a picture of a 15cm kitchen knife from Amazon to a contact with the question: ‘Would this work?’
Court Proceedings and Sentence
During a police interview, Morgan admitted reading the terror manual but claimed his Snapchat messages were sent out of boredom. He denied attempting to make ricin or having a genuine intention to attack the concert, dance academy, or his school, saying he only meant ‘to shock’.
Despite these claims, the evidence presented was sufficient for a conviction. McKenzie Morgan was sentenced to 14 months in a young offender institution after pleading guilty to possession of a document useful for terrorism.
The case highlights the critical role of vigilance, with the initial report from a member of the public on Snapchat triggering the intervention that potentially prevented a serious incident.
