A TEENAGER inspired by Hitler who planned to carry out a terrorist attack at a mosque has been sentenced to 10 years in custody.
The 17-year-old had planned to set fire to a Muslim centre in Greenock after befriending the Imam and mapping out the building’s interior on his phone.
In January this year police officers apprehended the youth, who was carrying a camouflage military-style rucksack as he tried to gain entry to the building on Laird Street.
Inside the bag they found a German-manufactured Glock-type air pistol, ammunition, ball bearings, gas cartridges and aerosol cans, prosecutors said.
He was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday after pleading guilty to two charges of terrorism, the Crown Office said.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to 10 years in custody and eight years of supervision on licence upon release.
Prosecutors said the teenager admitted being in possession of documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism and engaging in the preparation of committing acts of terrorism.
A search of the teenager’s home following his arrest found Adolf Hitler’s book Mein Kampf, a copy of the Quran, airsoft weapons, knives, masks and instructions and ingredients to manufacture explosives.
He also had a list on his mobile phone of individuals who had inspired his political beliefs including Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik, prosecutors said.
Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “This heinous plan to attack those within his own local community was prepared and driven by racial and religiously motivated hatred, and showed that he not only held Neo-Nazi beliefs but was about to act on them to cause pain and suffering.
“Fortunately, he was apprehended and this was prevented.
“COPFS has a duty to keep the people of Scotland safe from harm and, working with police and other agencies, we are committed to ensuring that those involved in committing offences under terrorism legislation are brought to justice.”
'A fast-moving and complicated inquiry'
Assistant chief constable Stuart Houston, of Police Scotland, said: “I want to pay tribute to the local officers who took swift action to protect the public and apprehended the youth, as the potential consequences of his actions could have been extremely serious and had a profound effect on the local community.
“This was a fast-moving and complicated inquiry, and officers carried out a diligent and thorough investigation to gather the evidence and brought him to court, which will now see him face the consequences of his intentions.
“Keeping our communities safe from acts of terrorism remains a priority for Police Scotland and its officers. I also want to express my gratitude to the partners who worked with us during this inquiry to ensure the achievement of this objective is realised.
“Anyone who has concerns about potential terrorist activity is urged to contact Police Scotland and there is confidential advice available at the ACT Early Counter Terrorism Policing website.”
