Teenager admits attempting to murder man in Bristol

The 18 year old has denied a terrorism charge relating to an incident in Bedminster last year

Author: Press AssociationPublished 16th Jan 2026

A teenager has admitted assaulting a man in an attack in Bristol which is alleged to have a terrorist motive.

Alina Burns, 18, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Mohammed Mahmoodi, 27, during an incident in the Bedminster area on August 2 last year.

She also pleaded guilty to three charges of having an article with a blade or point on East Street in Bedminster on August 2 - specifically an axe, a scalpel and two darts.

But the defendant denied a charge of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to the Terrorism Act.

The particulars allege that "on or before August 2 2025 the intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect that intention as said conduct included a) purchasing an axe to be used in an attack and or b) procuring a scalpel to be available during an attack and or c) procuring two darts to be available during an attack and or d) conducting research into an appropriate target and or e) conducting research into possible methods of attack".

Burns, of Lynton Road, Bristol, is due to stand trial at Bristol Crown Court on March 9.

During a hearing at the Old Bailey, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb fixed a pre-trial hearing for next month and remanded Burns into custody.

The teenager was arrested after Mr Mahmoodi suffered minor injuries when he was assaulted.

The incident was initially investigated by Avon and Somerset Police before being taken over by Counter Terrorism Policing South West.

A spokesman for Counter Terrorism Policing South West previously gave Burns's nationality as white British.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.