A teenager who planned a mass murder by setting fire to a mosque has been sentenced to 10 years in custody.
The boy, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, was 16 when he was arrested in January after police caught him on his way to burn down Inverclyde Muslim Centre in Greenock.
He was hoping the mosque, which has a capacity of 275 worshippers, would be full.
But he was unable to enter as the door was locked. What he did not know was that the police had received intelligence and were waiting to arrest him.
The now 17-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act at the High Court in Glasgow last month and was sentenced on this morning.
As well as 10 years in custody, judge Lord Arthurson additionally ordered for the teenager to be supervised for eight years once released back into the community.
The judge said the teenager continues to describe himself as a “Nazi”.
He added: “What you had in mind was what can properly be categorised as a quite diabolical atrocity involving extreme violence and multiple deaths.
“You even requested that your attack be live-streamed. Your conduct was only stopped by your arrest when you were, quite literally, at the very door of the centre.”
The court heard how the teenager idolised the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik and had “developed sympathies” with the Nazi Party.
It is understood that he had boasted online about his plans to livestream the attack after becoming radicalised on social media at the age of 13.
The teenager, who was dressed in black and carrying an air rifle when arrested, had successfully hoodwinked the mosque’s imam that he was serious about converting to Islam.
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He was left alone to film and draw sketches of the areas where his victims, including children, would be trapped as the planned firebomb attack unfolded.
Previously speaking to Sky News, imam Muhammad Bilal said: “When he came here, he was a very good boy and only wanted to become Muslim.”
Hamid Akhtar, from the centre, added: “The frightening bit was that somebody was so nice. Making us a fool that he wanted to convert, and we were helping him in every way and trusting him.
“It gives us a lesson in future about who comes in and what their intentions are. We have more security cameras now.”
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The boy, who has an autism diagnosis, believed that white people were in a “war” against other races. He created his own “manifesto” on his mobile phone, in which he said he would “die for my land”.
His initial idea, which he called “hilarious”, was to carry out a terrorist attack at his school in Inverclyde.
He recorded himself walking through the facility, saying he planned to “liquidate” one of the offices.
The boy later boasted on Telegram about how he would ditch that idea and instead focus on the Greenock mosque after managing to “infiltrate” the community.
As the massacre plot edged closer, the boy prepared a “final” manifesto stating he would attack “tomorrow” when “the mosque will be at its fullest”.
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On the morning in question, the boy left his home with a rucksack and messaged friends, saying: “Today, I choose what my life was and will be.”
The boy was arrested outside the centre by waiting police.
Inside his bag, detectives discovered a German-manufactured air pistol – capable of firing BBs – as well as ball bearings, gas cartridges, and four cans of aerosol spray.
Notepads containing swastikas were also recovered before officers later found a copy of Hitler’s book Mein Kampf, knives, and ingredients for explosive substances at his house.
Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “The offences committed by this individual were deeply disturbing.
“Viewing, sharing and posting such extreme and illegal material online can encourage and incite others into extremist activity, spreads hatred and poses a serious risk of harm to the public.
“This heinous plan to attack those within his own local community was prepared and driven by racial and religiously motivated hatred and showed that he not only held neo-Nazi beliefs but was about to act on them to cause pain and suffering.
“Fortunately, he was apprehended and this was prevented.”
