An extreme-right-wing terrorist who drew up plans for terrorist attacks, including targeting a mosque, has been convicted of preparing acts of terrorism.
Alfie Coleman, 21, a supermarket worker from Great Notley in Essex, set out plans for a series of potential attacks, including hijacking a plane and targeting the home of the Mayor of London.
He also wanted to obtain an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, having identified a local mosque as a target.
Coleman was arrested after trying to purchase a firearm and around 200 bullets, which prosecutors said he intended to use to carry out an attack.
The court heard he is a far-right militant who believed in provoking a race war.
Investigators found he had been consuming large amounts of far-right extremist material online. He had compiled a “hate list” of colleagues and customers, labelling them with racial slurs or as “race traitors”.
A search of the family home he shared with his parents and siblings uncovered a rock marked with a swastika and a flag linked with neo-Nazism on his bedroom wall.
He idolised Thomas Mair, who murdered MP Jo Cox, and possessed manifestos from other right-wing extremists, the Christchurch mosque attacker, Brenton Tarrant.
Coleman also contacted the far-right group Patriotic Alternative, expressing a desire to become involved in its activities.
Arrested in an MI5 sting
Coleman was caught following an undercover operation, in which MI5 officers engaged with him via encrypted messaging as he attempted to buy weapons.
He was arrested in a car park in Stratford, east London, shortly after handing over £3,500 for what he believed was a gun and ammunition.
Officers recovered evidence from his digital devices dating back to when he was 14.
They recovered a manifesto-style document written by Coleman himself. In the “Diary,” he outlined his ideological motivations and plans to carry out an attack.
Helen Flanagan, Head of CTP London, said: “The investigation found that Coleman became radicalised and drawn into extreme right-wing terrorism from the age of only 14, which, over the course of five years, ultimately led him to developing a plan and intention to kill members of the public.
“Coleman was still a child when he started on his pathway to radicalisation, and this is a trend that is sadly becoming more and more prevalent in our casework. It is more important than ever that friends and family are taking an interest in what their children are doing online and if there are any concerns at all, then ACT Early and get in touch with us – before it becomes too late.”
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.
“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.”
He will be sentenced on the 8 July
