‘Britain’s youngest terrorist’ given life sentence following ANZAC plot

A teenage boy who planned a “massacre” at an ANZAC Day parade in Australia has been given a life sentence and told he must serve at least five years in custody. The Islamic State supporter, described as highly intelligent but “abusive and aggressive” to his teachers, pretended to be an adult online, despite being just 14, so he could influence like-minded people across the world. The boy pleaded guilty in July to inciting alleged jihadist Sevdet Besim to behead police officers at an ANZAC Day remembrance parade in Melbourne, Australia, this year.

The revelation in this case that someone of only 14 could have become so radicalised that he was prepared to carry out this role intending and wishing that people should die is chilling.

Mr Justice Saunders, Manchester Crown Court judge

The teenager, from Blackburn, Lancashire, exchanged more than 3,000 encrypted mobile messages with Besim, 18, before Australian and British officials intervened to thwart the plot. When police checked his phone, internet searches and other media devices, they found extreme radicalisation magazines and evidence he had been encouraging another person to commit terrorism. Because of his age, the boy is not to be named publicly - an order only a judge can overturn. But Mr Justice Saunders said naming this boy would see some circles “glorif(ying him) for what he has done” and would have only “a limited deterrent”.

People will understandably be shocked by the age of the boy - however, this should not detract from the horror of what he was planning. It is also a clear message that you will face prosecution, no matter how old you are.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole, Head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit

World Anzac Day terror plot