Teen wanted to carry out mass murder of Muslims at Scots mosque after being radicalised by right-wing videos on TikTok

Scottish Sun

11-07-2025

The boy hoodwinked the Imam into believing that he wanted to become a Muslim
MOSQUE 'PLOT' Teen wanted to carry out mass murder of Muslims at Scots mosque after being radicalised by right-wing videos on TikTok
A TEENAGER wanted to carry out a mass murder of Muslims at a mosque, a court has heard.
The 17-year-old boy idolised right-wing killers such as Anders Brevik who slaughtered 77 people in Norway in 2011.
2
An exterior shot of the Inverclyde Muslim Centre, Laird Street, Greenock
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow
The boy spoke online about how white people were at "war" and that he would "die for my land."
Police intelligence led to officers finding the boy who was armed with weapons outside the Inverclyde Muslim Centre.
This included an airgun which he claimed would keep worshippers inside once he had set the building on fire.
The boy was able to plan his attack after he hoodwinked the centre's Imam into believing that he wanted to become a Muslim.
He was trusted at times to be left alone in the building which allowed him to make sketches and videos of the layout.
The boy also went as far as to join in with prayers in a bid to convince others of his lies.
The boy appeared today/yesterday in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.
He pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act and possession of documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
The crimes spanned between December 15 2024 and January 23 2025.
The court heard how the boy - who suffers from autism - had become "radicalised" since the age of 13 by social media channels such as TikTok.
He believed that white people were in a "war" against other races such as Jews and he "developed sympathies" with the Nazi party.
The boy created his own "manifesto" on his mobile phone in which he said he would "die for my land."
He listed a number of "inspirations" which included Brevik, Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Irish fascist leader Eion O'Duffy.
The boy also created a list of dislikes which included Keir Starmer, the Prophet Mohammed and Jihadi John.
2
Two police vehicles were outside the mosque to arrest the suspect
The boy initially had plans to carry out a terrorist attack at his school in Inverclyde.
He recorded himself walking through the school in which he stated he planned to "liquidate" one of the offices.
The boy also claimed that he would plant bombs under the tables of the school canteen.
He said: "That'll be funny, watch some reactions, that'll be hilarious."
The boy planned to attack the Inverclyde Muslim Centre in December 2024.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell said: "This involved the use of aerosols and lighters to set fire to the premises."
The boy spoke to the centre's Imam online and was later provided with reading materials.
Mr Farrell added: "The boy went as far as to take part in prayer with the congregation of the Islamic Centre.
"He was trusted to be left alone in the centre and he took several videos wandering the corridors of the building.
"In one video, he enters a room and his own hand enters the shot, shaped like a gun."
The boy then began searching images of the centre online as well as weapons and combat clothing.
He went on to speak to an acquaintance on chatting application Telegram.
The boy said: "It's good to infiltrate the target be it a mosque or synagogue as they think I'm one of them because I infiltrated the place."
He claimed that he could have burned down the centre when left alone but there would have been "zero kills."
Mr Farrell said: "He told the user he would use a deodorant can and a lighter to start a fire and he had a BB gun that people would believe was a real firearm.
"He also said he would use it to prevent them leaving the building."
The boy also asked the acquaintance to live stream the burning down of the mosque which would be shared with his manifesto.
He meantime tried to get a rifle licence but was unable to as his local club was closed at the time.
The boy prepared a "final" manifesto in which he stated he would attack "tomorrow" when "the mosque will be at its fullest."
On the morning of the planned attack, the boy left his home with a rucksack which concerned his mother.
He messaged friends, stating: "Today, I choose what my life was and will be."
The boy appeared at the Islamic Centre but was unable to enter as the door was locked.
Earlier that morning, the police had received intelligence regarding the boy and waited on him at the Islamic Centre.
He was found by officers to be dressed in black clothing and he carried a camouflage military rucksack.
When asked what was in the bag, the boy replied: "Guns, I'll tell you what's in the bag so you don't get hurt. I don't want to hurt you."
A German manufactured air pistol - capable of firing BBs - was recovered as well as a magazine which was suitable for the gun.
He was also snared with ball bearings, gas cartridges, four cans of aerosol spray and his mobile phone.
The boy was further found to have notepads which contained sketches and right wing symbols such as swastikas.
A search of his home recovered a copy of Hitler's book Mein Kampf, a copy of the Quran, knives, airsoft weapons and ingredients for explosive substances.
A book, named 'The Anarchist Cookbook' was also found which was an instruction manual on how to produce weapons and explosives.
Tony Lenehan KC, defending, told the court: "He was a 16-year-old isolated vulnerable young man who had a wholesale world view of what was on the internet rather than personal experience."
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Arthurson.
The boy will remain remanded in a secure unit meantime.