Teen who planned mass murder terrorist attack on Muslims caught with weapons at Inverclyde mosque

At-a-glance

17-year-old boy, inspired by far-right extremists, plotted a mass attack on a mosque
He gained the trust of the imam at the Inverclyde Muslim Centre by pretending to convert to Islam
He filmed the layout of the mosque and planned to set it on fire while worshippers were inside
The attack was foiled by police intelligence and he was arrested outside the mosque with weapons and tactical gear
He pled guilty under the Terrorism Act and remains in secure custody

A teenager who wanted to carry out a mass murder of Muslims planned his attack for months before being caught outside a mosque.

The 17-year-old boy was said to have idolised right-wing killers such as Anders Brevik who slaughtered 77 people in Norway in 2011.

The boy, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, spoke online about how white people were at “war” and that he would “die for my land”, the High Court in Glasgow was told.

Police intelligence led to officers finding the boy who was armed with weapons outside the Inverclyde Muslim Centre, Laird Street, Greenock, on Thursday, January 23.

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 deceived the centre’s imam into believing that he wanted to become a Muslim.

He was at times trusted 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.

He boy appeared in the dock at the High Court on Friday, July 11.

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 took place between December 15, 2024 and January 23, 2025.

The court heard how the boy – who has 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” 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, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Irish fascist leader Eion O’Duffy.

The boy also created a list of dislikes which included Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the prophet Mohammed and Jihadi John – a British militant seen in videos produced by the extremist group Islamic State.

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.

“He was trusted to be left alone in the centre and he took several videos wandering the corridors of the building,” the prosecutor said.

“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 the encrypted messaging app 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”.

He told the other Telegram user that he had an airgun that people would believe was a real firearm, preventing them from 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.

At the same time, he tried to obtain a rifle licence but was unable to as his local club was closed.

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: “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 about the boy and were waiting for him.

Officers found him dressed in black clothing and carrying 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 BB pellets – was recovered as well as a magazine which was suitable for the gun.

He also had ball bearings, gas cartridges, four cans of aerosol spray and his mobile phone.

The boy was 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.

He also had a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, an infamous instruction manual on how to produce weapons and explosives.

Tony Lenehan KC, the boy’s defence counsel, 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.”

Sentencing was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Arthurson.

The boy will remain remanded in a secure unit.