Northumberland neo-Nazi teen detained for more than 3 years

The Northumberland teenager, who cannot be identified despite an application by the media to name him, must also serve a year’s extended licence when released.

He was convicted last month of five terror charges following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

The jury was unable to agree a verdict on a charge that he was planning a terror attack on Newcastle synagogues and the prosecution said it would not apply for a retrial on that count.

Jurors were told the teenager purported to be a member of a proscribed neo-Nazi organisation, The Base.

He put stickers up promoting The Base, made promotional material and encouraged others to join.

The boy’s trial heard how police found an “arsenal” of weapons, including a crossbow and knives, at his home in Northumberland in February 2025.

The jury was shown images of his bedroom, including a replica of an SS officer’s cap, a flag of Rhodesia and a skeleton in a mask.

Jurors were also read online exchanges with members of white supremacist groups and violent journal entries.

The court was told that the youth watched a video of the New Zealand mosque terror attack then looked up synagogues in the Newcastle area.

He also made racist and offensive references in his journal, later telling the jury he did not believe them but he wrote them down to bring himself peace.

Mr Justice Wall, sentencing, said he rejected that claim, saying the teenager genuinely held extremist, antisemitic views.

The judge did accept that the build-up to the offending began when the boy was just 14, with most of them happening when he was 15.

He experienced a difficult childhood, suffered from bullying, was isolated and struggled with friendships.

Since his arrest, he has been diagnosed with autism.

Mr Justice Wall said the teenager must spend another 15 months in detention, having already been in custody since his arrest.

He will then be supervised and monitored in the community for another 26 months.

The judge told the boy, who attended court via a videolink: “You will have to do what you are told by the people who are supervising you and it will be their job to help you come to terms with what you have done and to stay out of trouble in the future.”

Mr Justice Wall said the boy had an “unhealthy interest in weapons, wars and paramilitary items and this obsession led you to exploring the darker world of extreme right-wing organisations”.

He will be subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order which will restrict his use of computers and the internet.

During the trial, Frida Hussain KC, defending, said the boy was “desperately lonely”, had been “plagued” with thoughts of killing himself, and created an online persona as a distraction.

Mr Justice Wall turned down a media application to lift an order that prevented the defendant from being identified, partly because it will ease his chance of successful rehabilitation.

He was convicted of purporting to be a member of a proscribed organisation, and four counts relating to possessing or sharing terror documents.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “We welcome the sentence handed down today and hope it acts as a warning to all about the dangers of extreme online content which can have real life consequences.”

He added: “If you are worried about someone you know expressing extreme views or hatred, then please trust your instincts and act early (a reference to a counter terrorism initiative) to prevent people becoming involved in terrorism. I cannot stress that enough and you will not be wasting our time.”

Chief Superintendent Kevin Waring, area commander for Northumberland, said: “This case highlights the dangers which exist online and the type of material young people can access.

“It is a reminder that we all need to be vigilant and if you do become worried about someone you know, see or hear something concerning then please come forward.”