Northumberland teen denies plotting terror attack
The teenager, from Northumberland, has pleaded not guilty to planning a terror attack
An alleged neo-Nazi teenager from Northumberland has pleaded not guilty to planning a terrorist attack.
The 15-year-old boy, who can not be named for legal reasons, is charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for committing acts of terrorism on or before February 20.
It is alleged the defendant had planned to target a phone mast and that he had searched the internet for local synagogues.
He began to discuss planning a terrorist attack with an unidentified individual earlier this year, it is claimed.
He allegedly acquired equipment and weapons including a crossbow that were purchased online in 2024 and had downloaded extremist manuals.
Among items allegedly found at his home were nails tied together with duct tape, a life-size skeleton covered in body armour, and Nazi memorabilia.
The boy is also charged with one count of membership of a proscribed organisation, contrary to Section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The extreme right-wing white supremacist group - which we have not named - was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Home Office in July 2021.
The teenager was arrested as part of a pre-planned, intelligence-led operation on Thursday February 20.
On Friday, he appeared at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.
He spoke to confirm his identity by video-link from HMP Wetherby in West Yorkshire and pleaded not guilty to both of the charges against him.
The youth, who cannot be identified because of his age, faces a four to six-week trial from January 13 next year at Leeds Crown Court.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said a further preparatory hearing would take place on December 5.
The youth was remanded back into custody.