Overview
- Opening statements at Leeds Crown Court detail charges of preparing acts of terrorism, membership of The Base, possession of terror documents and disseminating extremist publications.
- The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, allegedly contacted the banned group from age 13 and promoted it by posting fliers and sharing propaganda online.
- Prosecutors say he researched synagogues in the Newcastle area after looking up the Christchurch mosque attack in December 2024.
- Police described finding an arsenal at his Northumberland home, including knives, crossbows, military gear and chemicals alleged to be for making explosives, with discussions about damaging local infrastructure.
- The court heard he downloaded violent attack videos, expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler and kept racist notebooks, while the defense says he never intended violence and that the writings were empty words; the case resumes Wednesday.