Norfolk teenager facing trial over alleged neo-Nazi activities and creation of deep-fakes
The 17-year-old is accused of explosives, blackmail, and terrorism-related offences
A 17-year-old from Norfolk is set to face trial next April accused of explosive-making, blackmail, and the production of deep-fake images of teenage girls.
The boy, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, stands accused of 16 offences, including making explosives, possessing a firearm, distributing terror manuals, and inciting racial hatred.
In addition to these charges, he allegedly engaged in online "catfishing," using deceit to blackmail men with sexual images, and created deep-fake sexual images of six teenage girls.
His arrest took place at his home in south Norfolk on 10th April last year following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.
At the preliminary hearing held at the Old Bailey, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a plea hearing for 25th September at Leicester Crown Court, with a provisional trial scheduled for April next year.
The defendant's barrister indicated that the youth would deny the 16 charges currently set against him.
These charges include possession of information useful to terrorism, two counts of distributing a terrorist publication, four counts of making an explosive substance, possession of a firearm, and two charges related to distributing material to incite racial hatred.
Further charges include criminal damage, racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, and two counts of blackmail, alongside allegations of making indecent pseudo-photographs of children.