Latest news with #CounterTerrorism
STV News
13 hours ago
- STV News
Man in terror probe said he would 'make 9/11 look like episode of Teletubbies'
A man held during a terror investigation claimed he would make the 9/11 attacks 'look like an episode of the Teletubbies'. Curtis Ross had a fascination with 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski – the lone wolf terrorist who killed three Americans and injured several others over nearly 20 years. The 24-year-old had been arrested after posting online a clip of him blowing up two gas canisters near the River Leven in Methil, Fife. Ross' home was raided, and police discovered a drawing marked 'Project Payback'. A phone and tablet device were also examined, which included the voice message about the 2001 Twin Towers atrocity and him discussing with others 'murdering all the people who wronged you'. Ross appeared at the High Court in Glasgow. He pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, which included sending concerning messages and voice notes on Snapchat and Facebook, causing an explosion, filming it and putting the footage on social media between June 25 and July 31, 2024. He had a not guilty plea to a charge under the Terrorism Act accepted. Ross was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. A Facebook friend of Ross spotted the explosion video in late July 2024. He showed it to a young woman who was so 'alarmed' that she contacted the police. Ross was held that day after being spotted in Methil. Detectives – along with Counter Terrorism officers – searched his home in the town. They found the 'Project Payback' drawing along with a sketch of what was described as a 'homemade explosive device'. Various items, including a roll of wire, mobile phone batteries, nails, screws, and a watch, were inside a desk. Initial fears about a package in the property led to homes in the area being evacuated, but it did not contain an explosive. Prosecutor Greg Farrell said Ross 'laughed' when first quizzed about what he had filmed, claiming it was an 'attempt at satire comedy'. But, he confirmed that he had blown up two butane gas canisters and had posted it on his Facebook page under the name of a Batman comic villain. Mr Farrell: 'He made reference to social media corrupting his decisions.' Ross was asked about his interest in Kaczynski – captured in 1996 – and said he was 'apparently some kind of mail bomber' that he had learned more about by going down a 'rabbit hole' online. Ross went on to insist that he himself was 'not a terrorist' as he had 'made peace with everything in his life'. But, police found a series of concerning messages during checks of his phone and black tablet. In late June 2024, he wrote to 15 users on Facebook Messenger: 'Here guys, I am just here to inform you that the only thing stopping you from murdering all of the people who wronged you is just a box. 'That is only if you cannot do it correctly and make sure enough evidence is gone so that the charges do not stick.' He referred to 'instructions on how to make a pipe bomb' adding: 'Hope this comes in handy for you one day x'. In messages on the day of the River Leven explosion, a social media contact called Ross 'a human'. Mr Farrell then told the court of a Snapchat conversation with a friend shortly before. Ross stated at one stage: 'I am going to make 9/11 look like an episode of the Teletubbies, f*** sake.' He then backtracked again, claiming it was 'satire comedy' and that he was 'only joking'. During further rants, Ross said he had been let down by the 'justice system', moaning he had been treated differently because he is a man. In messages to another contact, he said: 'I have realised that I simply cannot allow what is happening to humanity and our world to continue. 'I can and will have an impact on preventing the worst from happening xx.' The court heard there were also photos, videos and sketches of the 'Unabomber' on the devices as well as images of a pipe bomb and firearms together with 'various other clips which suggest violence'. Lord Colbeck deferred sentencing for reports. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit in terror probe claimed he would 'make 9/11 look like episode of Teletubbies'
Curtis Ross had a fascination with 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski, a lone wolf terrorist who killed three Americans, and was arrested after causing an explosion with two gas canisters in Fife A man held in a terror probe claimed he would make the 9/11 attacks 'look like an episode of the Teletubbies'. Curtis Ross had a fascination with 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski – the lone wolf terrorist who killed three Americans and injured many others over nearly 20 years. Ross, 24, had been arrested after posting online a clip of himself blowing up two gas canisters near the River Leven in Methil, Fife. His home was raided and police found a drawing marked 'Project Payback'. A phone and tablet device were also examined which included the voice message about the 2001 Twin Towers atrocity and him discussing with others 'murdering all the people who wronged you'. Ross appeared in the dock last week at the High Court in Glasgow. He pled guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner which included sending the concerning messages and voice notes on Snapchat and Facebook, causing an explosion, filming it and putting the footage on social media between June 25 and July 31 last year. He had a not guilty plea to a charge under the Terrorism Act accepted. Ross was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. A Facebook friend of Ross had spotted the explosion video in July last year. He showed it to a young woman who was so "alarmed" she contacted police. Ross was held that day after being spotted in Methil. Detectives – along with Counter Terrorism officers – searched his home in the town. They found the 'Project Payback' drawing along with a sketch of a 'homemade explosive device'. Inside a desk were various items including a roll of wire, mobile phone batteries, nails, screws and a watch. There were also initial fears about a package in the property which led to homes in the area being evacuated, but it did not contain an explosive. Prosecutor Greg Farrell said Ross "laughed" when first quizzed about what he had filmed claiming it was an "attempt at satire comedy". But, he confirmed that he had blew up two butane gas canisters and had posted it on his Facebook page under the name of a Batman comic villain. Mr Farrell: "He made reference to social media corrupting his decisions." Ross was asked about his interest in Kaczynski - captured in 1996 - and said he was "apparently some kind of mail bomber" that he had learned more about by going down a "rabbit hole" online. Ross went on to insist that he himself was "not a terrorist" as he had "made peace with everything in his life". Mr Farrell told the court of a Snapchat conversation with a friend. Ross stated at one stage: "I am going to make 9/11 look like an episode of the Teletubbies, f*** sake." He then backtracked again claiming it was "satire comedy" and that he was "only joking". The friend replied: "F*** Islam, f*** them all." During further rants, Ross said he had been let down by the "justice system" complaining he had been treated differently because he is a man. In messages to another contact, he said: "I have realised that I simply cannot allow what is happening to humanity and our world to continue. I can and will have an impact on preventing the worst from happening xx." The court heard there were also photos, videos and sketches of the "Unabomber" on the devices as well as images of a pipe bomb and firearms together with "various other clips which suggest violence". Lord Colbeck deferred sentencing for reports.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Scot in terror probe claimed he would 'make 9/11 look like an episode of the Teletubbies'
A phone and tablet device were also examined which included the voice mess-age about the 2001 Twin Towers atrocity and him discussing with others 'murdering all the people who wronged you'. A Scot held in a terror probe claimed he would make the 9/11 attacks 'look like an episode of the Teletubbies'. Curtis Ross had a fascination with 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski – the lone wolf terrorist who killed three Americans and injured many others over nearly 20 years. Ross, 24, had been arrested after posting online a clip of himself blowing up two gas canisters near the River Leven in Methil, Fife. His home was raided and police found a drawing marked 'Project Payback'. A phone and tablet device were also examined which included the voice message about the 2001 Twin Towers atrocity and him discussing with others 'murdering all the people who wronged you'. Ross appeared in the dock last week at the High Court in Glasgow. He pled guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner which included sending the concerning messages and voice notes on Snapchat and Facebook, causing an explosion, filming it and putting the footage on social media between June 25 and July 31 last year. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He had a not guilty plea to a charge under the Terrorism Act accepted. Ross was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. A Facebook friend of Ross had spotted the explosion video in July last year. Detectives – along with Counter Terrorism officers – searched his home in the town. They found the 'Project Payback' drawing along with a sketch of a 'homemade explosive device '. Inside a desk were various items including a roll of wire, mobile phone batteries, nails, screws and a watch. The court heard there were also photos, videos and sketches of the 'Unabomber' on the devices as well as images of a pipe bomb and firearms together with 'various other clips which suggest violence'.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
'I'll make 9/11 look like The Teletubbies' said accused man
The 24 year-old had been arrested after posting online a clip of him blowing up two gas canisters near the River Leven in Methil, Fife. Ross's home was raided and police discovered a drawing marked "Project Payback". Read More: A phone and tablet device were also examined which included the voice message about the 2001 Twin Towers atrocity and him discussing with others "murdering all the people who wronged you". Ross appeared in the dock this week at the High Court in Glasgow. He pled guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner which included sending the concerning messages and voice notes on Snapchat and Facebook causing an explosion, filming it and putting the footage on social media between June 25 and July 31 2024. He had a not guilty plea to a charge under the Terrorism Act accepted. Ross was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. A Facebook friend of Ross had spotted the explosion video in late July 2024. He showed it to a young woman who was so "alarmed" she contacted police. Ross was held that day after being spotted in Methil. Detectives - along with Counter Terrorism officers - searched his home in the town. They found the "Project Payback" drawing along with a sketch of what was described as a "homemade explosive device". Inside a desk were various items including a roll of wire, mobile phone batteries, nails, screws and a watch. There were also initial fears about a package in the property which led to homes in the area being evacuated, but it did not contain an explosive. Prosecutor Greg Farrell said Ross "laughed" when first quizzed about what he had filmed claiming it was an "attempt at satire comedy". But, he confirmed that he had blew up two butane gas canisters and had posted it on his Facebook page under the name of a Batman comic villain. Mr Farrell: "He made reference to social media corrupting his decisions." Ross was asked about his interest in Kaczynski - captured in 1996 - and said he was "apparently some kind of mail bomber" that he had learned more about by going down a "rabbit hole" online. Ross went on to insist that he himself was "not a terrorist" as he had "made peace with everything in his life". But, police found a series of concerning messages during checks of his phone and black tablet. In late June 2024, he wrote to 15 users on Facebook Messenger: "Here guys, I am just here to inform you that the only thing stopping you from murdering all of the people who wronged you is just a box. "That is only if you cannot do it correctly and make sure enough evidence is gone so that the charges do not stick." He referred to "instructions on how to make a pipe bomb" adding: "Hope this comes in handy for you one day x". In messages on the day of the River Leven explosion, a social media contact called Ross "a human". Mr Farrell then told the court of a Snapchat conversation with a friend shortly before. Ross stated at one stage: "I am going to make 9/11 look like an episode of the Teletubbies, f*** sake." He then backtracked again claiming it was "satire comedy" and that he was "only joking". The friend replied: "F*** Islam, f*** them all." During further rants, Ross said he had been let down by the "justice system" moaning he had been treated differently because he is a man. In messages to another contact, he said: "I have realised that I simply cannot allow what is happening to humanity and our world to continue. "I can and will have an impact on preventing the worst from happening xx." The court heard there were also photos, videos and sketches of the "Unabomber" on the devices as well as images of a pipe bomb and firearms together with "various other clips which suggest violence". Lord Colbeck deferred sentencing for reports.
Sky News
15-07-2025
- Sky News
Three women arrested under Terrorism Act after van driven into Edinburgh factory fence owned by defence company
Three women have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into an Edinburgh-based defence company's fence. Police Scotland said the three women - aged 31, 34 and 42 - were arrested after a disturbance in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh on Tuesday. The force said a van was driven into an external fence of a business premises, and that its Counter Terrorism Unit was leading the investigation. It added: "Enquiries are ongoing. We are treating this as targeted, and we do not believe there is any wider threat to the public." Direct action campaign group Shut Down Leonardo - which said it aims to target aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo's headquarters in Edinburgh - posted a photo of the van. It shows police on the roof of the vehicle, which has a Palestine flag hanging off the back. Shut Down Leonardo claims the factory makes components for Israel's F-35 fighter jets. In a separate post, the group said "we're taking action to shut down Leonardo's weapons factory in Edinburgh" and shared a video of an "action taker" explaining why the site has been targeted. A Leonardo spokesperson told the PA news agency: "Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel. "The right to peaceful protest is an important principle in our society, however, aggressive and violent activity should have no place in protest. "The intimidation of our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable. "Our main customer is the UK Armed Forces. We are proud to manufacture technology that supports our service personnel and helps keep them safe. Their dedication underpins the freedom on which our society is based."
