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Anzac Day terror plot: UK teen's plan 'would have caused deaths' Anzac Day terror plot: UK teen's plan 'would have caused deaths'
(about 2 hours later)
A plot by a Blackburn teenager to attack an Anzac Day parade in Australia would "in all probability" have caused a number of deaths if it had not been stopped, a court has heard.A plot by a Blackburn teenager to attack an Anzac Day parade in Australia would "in all probability" have caused a number of deaths if it had not been stopped, a court has heard.
At a sentencing hearing, Manchester Crown Court heard the boy encouraged a Melbourne man to behead police officers at a parade in April.At a sentencing hearing, Manchester Crown Court heard the boy encouraged a Melbourne man to behead police officers at a parade in April.
He had previously threatened to cut the throat of his teacher, the court heard.He had previously threatened to cut the throat of his teacher, the court heard.
The 15-year-old has pleaded guilty to one count of inciting terrorism.The 15-year-old has pleaded guilty to one count of inciting terrorism.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is thought to be the youngest Briton guilty of a terror offence.The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is thought to be the youngest Briton guilty of a terror offence.
His lawyer said his offences were serious, but he should no longer be considered dangerous.His lawyer said his offences were serious, but he should no longer be considered dangerous.
'Martyrdom video''Martyrdom video'
The boy was radicalised over the internet by Islamic State propaganda, and formulated the plot "from the bedroom of his parents' suburban home", prosecutor Paul Greaney QC said, outlining the case. The boy was radicalised over the internet by Islamic State propaganda, and formulated the plot "from the bedroom of his parents' suburban home", prosecutor Paul Greaney QC told the court.
Anzac Day, held on 25 April each year, commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' World War One battle in Gallipoli, and this year marked its centenary.Anzac Day, held on 25 April each year, commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' World War One battle in Gallipoli, and this year marked its centenary.
The Lancashire teen sent thousands of online messages to an alleged Australian jihadist named Sevdet Besim, 18, including one suggesting he get his "first taste of beheading" by attacking "a proper lonely person", the court heard. The Lancashire teenager sent thousands of online messages to an alleged Australian jihadist named Sevdet Besim, 18, including one suggesting he get his "first taste of beheading" by attacking "a proper lonely person", the court heard.
"There is no doubt" the pair planned to carry out the attack on the parade, and also made references to the production of a martyrdom video to use for propaganda purposes, Mr Greaney said."There is no doubt" the pair planned to carry out the attack on the parade, and also made references to the production of a martyrdom video to use for propaganda purposes, Mr Greaney said.
And the court was told the defendant later told a psychiatrist he was convinced that if the police had not disrupted his activities "a massacre would have occurred". The court also heard the defendant later told a psychiatrist he was convinced that if the police had not disrupted his activities "a massacre would have occurred".
Analysis
By Dominic Casciani, home affairs correspondent, BBC News
The boy, wearing a smart shirt and striped tie, sat quietly throughout the hearing - rarely turning to look at his lawyers or relatives who flanked him on either side.
With his hair styled and gelled up, he looked like any other average 15-year-old - except the evidence said otherwise.
When prosecutor Paul Greaney QC described him as dangerously radicalised, he didn't flinch - just looked on impassively at the hearing going on around him.
This is an extremely tough case for any judge to deal with - and Mr Justice Saunders made clear how difficult this sentencing is going to be.
On Friday he must sentence a boy for the crimes of a man. He has to consider whether the teenager can change - but he must also act to protect the public.
The court was told a well known Islamic State recruiter - Abu Khaled al-Cambodi- had instigated contact between the defendant and Mr Besim.The court was told a well known Islamic State recruiter - Abu Khaled al-Cambodi- had instigated contact between the defendant and Mr Besim.
Mr Greaney said that was "indicative of the serious nature of the plot".Mr Greaney said that was "indicative of the serious nature of the plot".
The court heard that in an exchange on 19 March, the defendant presented Mr Besim with three options - a gun attack on the police, a car attack on the police or a knife attack on the police.The court heard that in an exchange on 19 March, the defendant presented Mr Besim with three options - a gun attack on the police, a car attack on the police or a knife attack on the police.
Mr Greaney said: "Mr Besim expressed a preference for a combination of a car and knife attack and (the defendant) advised him to buy a machete and sharpen it, run over a police officer and then decapitate him." Mr Greaney said: "Mr Besim expressed a preference for a combination of a car and knife attack and [the defendant] advised him to buy a machete and sharpen it, run over a police officer and then decapitate him."
The defendant also referred to himself as "a planner" and suggested he was involved in multiple operations, the court was told.The defendant also referred to himself as "a planner" and suggested he was involved in multiple operations, the court was told.
'Religious convictions' The defendant, who is Muslim, was "undoubtedly a troubled young person" who had had a "difficult" upbringing and was regularly excluded from school, Mr Greaney said.
The Muslim defendant was "undoubtedly a troubled young person" who had had a "difficult" upbringing and was regularly excluded from school, Mr Greaney said.
The prosecutor said:The prosecutor said:
'Smart phone' link
Mr Greaney added: "He also spoke of his desire to be a suicide bomber, stating that if he had to choose where to detonate his bomb it would be on a plane in order that he could maximise the fatalities."Mr Greaney added: "He also spoke of his desire to be a suicide bomber, stating that if he had to choose where to detonate his bomb it would be on a plane in order that he could maximise the fatalities."
A second referral to Channel took place in November 2014 but the youngster allegedly continued to threaten to kill teachers. He also reportedly described the Charlie Hebdo attackers as his heroes. A second referral to Channel took place in November 2014, but the youngster allegedly continued to threaten to kill teachers. He also reportedly described the Charlie Hebdo attackers as his heroes.
The court also heard the defendant had been in contact with radicals in the UK, Canada, France and the United States.The court also heard the defendant had been in contact with radicals in the UK, Canada, France and the United States.
'Twitter celebrity'
James Pickup, QC, defending, said he accepted "the seriousness of the offence he committed over a period of nine days in March of this year".James Pickup, QC, defending, said he accepted "the seriousness of the offence he committed over a period of nine days in March of this year".
He told the court the defendant started accessing Islamic State propaganda after getting a smart phone and quickly built up a following online.He told the court the defendant started accessing Islamic State propaganda after getting a smart phone and quickly built up a following online.
But the boy should not now be considered "dangerous" for the purposes of sentencing, he added.But the boy should not now be considered "dangerous" for the purposes of sentencing, he added.
The hearing is expected to conclude on Friday.The hearing is expected to conclude on Friday.