An Isle of Wight schoolboy who plotted a terror attack on the Isle of Wight Festival – and also planned to slice the throats of teachers at a local school – has been found guilty of terrorism offences. The unnamed teen was arrested back in July 2022 after the FBI identified alarming communications on Discord, Reddit and Instagram. He was held for questioning for 6 days before being charged and put before Westminster Magistrates Court, later The Old Bailey and Winchester Crown Court. The boy, who was just 15 years old at the time, has been remanded in youth detention since. Now, following a 3-week trial at Kingston Crown Court, a jury has today (Monday) found the teenager – who has been diagnosed with autism – guilty of engaging in conduct in the preparation of terrorist acts, 3 counts of the dissemination of terrorist publications and possession of a bladed article in a public place. The court heard how the then 15-year-old researched ways in which to attack revellers at the 2022 Isle of Wight Festival, including information about fast lorries, but that he didn’t go ahead with his plans as he didn’t have access to a vehicle. Instead, he planned to carry out a knife attack at a local school – which included slicing teachers’ throats. On the day the teen planned to carry out the stabbings he was caught with a knife in his rucksack and a martyrdom letter addressed to his family. 
Over the past 3 weeks jury members have heard details of how the teen converted to Islam in 2021, going on to adopt an Islamic extremist mindset with homophobic and other extremist views. He shared Islamic State propaganda videos of beheadings and executions and expressed hatred for those who didn’t believe in God. The boy became involved in an online anti-gay group and also showed support for the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks in France, stating that the shootings were ‘justified’. Concerns had been raised about the boy’s behaviour and developing beliefs, but he wasn’t referred to the Home Office’s Prevent programme. It’s said that he was radicalised by Daesh propaganda. The 16-year-old will be sentenced on 15th April at Kingston Crown Court. Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East, has said:
“Today is not a day for celebration. There can never be satisfaction when a child so young is convicted of such serious offences. “Our primary objective is always to protect our communities from those who wish to do them harm. In this case, unfortunately we found someone who had been radicalised by Daesh propaganda into believing it was acceptable to hurt innocent people. CTPSE had to act quickly, with the help of our local police partners, to arrest and detain him. This was to protect the public and establish fully what his plans were. “We hope he can get the help he needs to learn how wrong and dangerous these views are, and that he can become a functioning member of society in future”.
Superintendent Rob Mitchell, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Area Commander for the Isle of Wight, adds:
“This is a really tragic case of a young boy who found himself exploited by Daesh propaganda. “The most vulnerable people in our communities across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight are at the greatest risk of being drawn towards terrorist activity, and potentially causing harm to themselves and others. “We have excellent working relationships and information sharing agreements with our partners that allow us to quickly identify those at risk and protect people from harm. “Cases of this nature are, thankfully, relatively rare, but I do understand this investigation will have had a significant impact on the people of Cowes and the Isle of Wight. “No-one is exempt from the risk of extremism and terrorism, but together Action Counters Terrorism and if you have any concerns that someone you know has been, or is being, radicalised, you can Act Early to get them the help they need and deserve”.
Reporting restrictions mean that the teenager cannot be named and Island Echo cannot bring you the full story as to the teenager’s background, or where he lived.
