16/04/24
Isle of Wight Festival terror plot: Teen jailed for seven years
A 16-year-old boy has been jailed for seven years for plotting a terror attack after researching the Isle of Wight Festival as a potential target.
The teenager from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was planning to attack people he believed had insulted Islam.
He also shared terrorist publications with others, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said.
He was found guilty in February of preparation of terrorist acts.
The jury at Kingston Crown Court also found him guilty of three counts of dissemination of terrorist publications and having a bladed article in a public place.
'Islamic extremist mindset'
The trial heard the FBI discovered messages relating to an alleged attack that was due to take place in July 2022.
The boy developed an "Islamic extremist mindset" in late 2021 and repeatedly researched the Isle of Wight Festival in June 2022, according to prosecutor Serena Gates.
His internet search terms included "gun Isle of Wight", "fast lorry", "how many people are going to Isle of Wigh [sic] fest", "Isle of Wight Festival gate" and "Isle of Wight Festival gate names".
Jurors were told he also discussed his plans with others online, and he received messages such as, "I heard you were going to attack the festival is this true".
He also looked up weapons, vehicles and stab vests, and obtained a knife by July 2022.
After dismissing the festival as a target because he did not have a car or other vehicle, the youth drew up plans to stab people who worked with him at a specialist education provider, the court heard previously.
The teenager converted to Islam in late 2021, and five tutors who worked with him became concerned about his developing beliefs.
One tutor noticed the defendant had a picture of Osama bin Laden as his phone screen picture around a year and a half before his arrest, but was not too concerned as he "was often trying to shock people with what he said".
Terrorism officers arrested the teenager on 11 July 2022, with assistance from Hampshire police, and found he was carrying a knife.
Passing sentence, Mrs Justice McGowan, told the defendant: "You are intelligent and you have the potential to make something good with your life.
"You thought about killing two people who had offended you and your religion but both had tried to help you."
Det Ch Supt Olly Wright, head of CTPSE, said: "We know that terrorist groups use their toxic rhetoric to try exploit vulnerable people.
"This case was particularly concerning because a teenager had gone so far as taking active steps to prepare for an attack; thanks to a swift response we were able to stop him, and he has now been sentenced to imprisonment as a result of his actions."
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