Alfie Coleman, a 21-year-old from Great Notley in Essex, was convicted of preparing for terrorist acts at the Old Bailey after an undercover MI5 sting operation. According to multiple reports, Coleman compiled hate lists and wrote a manifesto targeting colleagues he deemed as “race traitors,” along with public figures like the Lord Mayor of London and a mosque.
Key Takeaways
Alfie Coleman, 21, was convicted of planning a mass gun attack after an MI5 sting operation. He compiled hate lists and wrote a manifesto targeting colleagues, the Lord Mayor of London, and a mosque. Police found weapons and extremist material in his home.
- Alfie Coleman convicted of preparing terrorist acts
- Undercover MI5 officers arrested him after he bought a Makarov pistol
- Plans included attacks on public figures and mosques
- Extreme right-wing ideology influenced by online radicalization
The court heard that from the age of 14, Coleman had been consuming extreme right-wing material online. He was caught after undercover officers engaged him in encrypted chats while he sought to buy weapons. On September 29, 2023, MI5's operation culminated in a Morrisons car park in Stratford, east London, where Coleman attempted to purchase a Makarov pistol and ammunition.
A search of his home revealed an arsenal of weapons and extremist material, including documents on bomb-making instructions. Prosecutors described his plans as “seething with hatred,” involving explosives, hijacking planes, and using knives and crossbows. Coleman admitted to possessing firearms but denied preparing for a terrorist attack.
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan of the Met Police's Counter-Terrorism Command warned about the growing trend of young people being radicalized online. She emphasized the importance of parents monitoring their children's online activities to prevent such ideation and radicalization from turning into real-world threats.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 3 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.