Three right-wing extremists were convicted of planning an act of terrorism after targetting mosques and Islamic centres, in anticipation of an impending race war.
Brogan Stewart, 25, Marco Pitzettu, 25, and Christopher Ringrose, 34, were also found guilty of multiple terrorism and firearms offences.
The three men, who were part of an online extreme right-wing group, were arrested last year by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, following an intelligence-led investigation that discovered the men were intent on carrying out a violent attack.
The self-styled “militant” online group provided an echo chamber of extreme right-wing views where they shared horrific racial slurs, glorified mass murderers and encouraged violence against anyone deemed an enemy.
The trio discussed targets for attacks, including mosques, Islamic Education centres and synagogues. They also prepared for what they believed was an inevitable race war, sourcing body armour, rations and a cache of weapons as part of their planning.
The group idolised the Nazi regime, evident throughout their messages.
Over 200 weapons were seized from the home addresses of the subjects, alongside riot gear, body armour and ration packs. The weapons included machetes, hunting knives, swords, and crossbows.
Pitzettu obtained an illegal stun gun, and the group had also pursued acquiring a 3D-printed firearm.
Extremists “espoused vile racist views“
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said: “Stewart, Pitzettu, and Ringrose have today been rightfully convicted of multiple terrorism offences. They were a group that espoused vile racist views and advocated for violence, all to support their extreme right-wing mindset.
“Some of their defence in court was that it was all fantasy or just part of harmless chat, however all three took real world steps to plan and prepare for carrying out an attack on innocent citizens.
“Due to excellent collaborative work with our partners, we were able to infiltrate the group and arrest them before anyone was harmed.
Bethan David, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division, said: “These extremists were plotting violent acts of terrorism against Synagogues, Mosques and Islamic Education Centres. By their own admission, they were inspired by SS tactics and supremacist ideology.
“Had Christopher Ringrose managed to completely finish building the 3-D printed semi-automatic firearm that he had started to, it could have been used leading to devastating consequences.
“The prosecution case against the defendants included their disturbing Telegram and Facebook chats as well as acquiring military equipment such as riot shields, body armour and an arsenal of weapons found at their home addresses that were to be used in readiness for a ‘race war’.
“We worked closely with Counter Terrorism Policing North East to prepare a strong case against the defendants, and the jury has today convicted them of their crimes. Extremism is a threat to our society and we will always aim to keep communities safe by seeking to prosecute anyone who prepares for acts of terrorism.”
Image credit: Counter Terrorism Police
