Teenager admits plotting mass murder of Muslims in Greenock
The 17-year-old, who can't be named due to his age, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act after being radicalised online
A 17-year-old boy, who wrote online that white people were “at war” with other races and religions, has admitted planning to carry out the mass murder of Muslims outside a mosque in Greenock.
The High Court in Glasgow heard the teenager, who can’t be named due to his age, had been radicalised online and idolised far-right killers such as Anders Brevik, who slaughtered 77 people in Norway in 2011.
The boy spoke online about how white people were at "war" and that he would "die for my land."
Police intelligence led to officers finding the boy who was armed with weapons outside the Inverclyde Muslim Centre.
Teenager planned to set the building on fire
This included an airgun which he claimed would keep worshippers inside once he had set the building on fire.
The boy was able to plan his attack after he convinced the centre's Imam that he wanted to convert to Islam.
He was trusted at times to be left alone in the building which allowed him to make sketches and videos of the layout.
The boy also went as far as to join in with prayers in a bid to convince others of his lies.
On Friday the teenager appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.
He pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act and possession of documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
The crimes spanned between December 15 2024 and January 23 2025.
The court heard how the boy - who suffers from autism - had become "radicalised" since the age of 13 by social media channels such as TikTok.
He believed that white people were in a "war" against other races such as Jews and he "developed sympathies" with the Nazi party.
The boy had created a violent 'manifesto' on his mobile phone
The boy created his own "manifesto" on his mobile phone in which he said he would "die for my land."
He listed a number of "inspirations" which included Brevik, Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Irish fascist leader Eion O'Duffy.
The boy also created a list of dislikes which included Keir Starmer, the prophet Mohammed and Jihadi John.
A search of his home recovered a copy of Hitler's book Mein Kampf, a copy of the Quran, knives, airsoft weapons and ingredients for explosive substances.
The boy initially had plans to carry out a terrorist attack at his school in Inverclyde.
He recorded himself walking through the school in which he stated he planned to "liquidate" one of the offices.
The boy also claimed that he would plant bombs under the tables of the school canteen.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Arthurson.
The boy will remain remanded in a secure unit meantime.