Neo-Nazi, 17, who idolised mass killer and downloaded terror manuals is SPARED JAIL as he ‘could get As in A-levels’
A TEENAGE Neo-Nazi who idolised Norwegian mass killer Anders Breivik and downloaded terror manuals has walked free.
The judge spared him jail after being told the 17-year-old could get As in his A-level.
Instead he was handed a 12-month referral order at Bristol Youth Court for terror offences.
Police found pics of the teen performing Nazi salutes and memes praising mass killer Breivik who killed 77 people in two terror attacks in July 2011.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in person and was sentenced by Chief Magistrate - Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring.
He was handed letters from both parents, from his head of year at school and an academic progress report.
District Judge Paul Goldspring said: “You clearly work very hard in school and are obviously very, very intelligent.
“Although, I don't want anyone to get the impression that someone less intelligent should be treated less well.”
The court previously heard how the boy was arrested by officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary and Counter Terrorism Policing South West in December 2019.
The boy was 15 at the time of all the offences except one when he had turned 16.
You clearly work very hard in school and are obviously very, very intelligent
District Judge Paul Goldspring
Cops uncovered a 'significant volume of terrorist material accrued over a number of months'.
It including information on a predicted race war and the collapse of society, Satanic Neo Nazi practices and some containing very graphic portrayals of sadistic violence.
A Samsung Galaxy 8 mobile phone and Huawei tablet later found at his home included chat messages from encrypted social media apps including Discord and Wire in which the youth adopted the name "Apollo".
The devices contained numerous images of the boy performing Nazi salutes, making White Power signs, posing with imitation firearms and memes idolising mass killers such as Anders Breivik.
When police raided the family home they found the desk in his bedroom had a number of symbols etched into its surface including swastikas.
'HATEFUL AND DAMAGING MATERIAL'
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing South West, Detective Superintendent Craig McWhinnie said: “Whilst there was no risk to the county, individuals such as this who promote dangerous extremist views and content have no place in our society. We will continue to seek them out and prosecute them.
“The entrenched views and hatred displayed by this young person combined with their consumption of violent and disturbing literature remain deeply concerning.
“This investigation is another stark reminder of the hateful and damaging material found online that for all of us, is only a few clicks away.
“This material creates a very real risk to the young and vulnerable in our communities, in our schools and indeed, in our own homes.
“This is especially true over the course of the pandemic where young people spend more time online, often alone and unsupervised.
“We would encourage those who care for young persons to have honest and frank conversations about online activity, to look out for the signs that indicate a potential shift in beliefs or attitude and to be intrusive on occasion to ensure they are safe online.
“The Act Early website has a wealth of information for anyone with concerns to help them understand what radicalisation looks like and provides advice on what to do in the first instance.
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“The site - - also includes details of organisations outside of policing which can offer support.”
The police spokesperson added "Every year thousands of reports from the public help police tackle the terrorist threat.
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“If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and ACT by reporting to police in confidence at .
"Reporting won’t ruin lives, but it could save them. Action Counters Terrorism. Remember, in an emergency, always dial 999."
