The trial of an Isle of Wight teenager accused of terrorism offences in 2022 — which included his plans to attack the Isle of Wight Festival — has concluded.

The boy, who appeared before a jury at Kingston Crown Court, denied three counts of the dissemination of terrorist publications, engaging in conduct in the preparation of terrorist acts, and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

The material he was accused of sending included links to extremist videos.

Today (Monday), the jury found the defendant guilty on all charges.

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During the trial, the court heard the 16-year-old researched potential targets to attack, including the Isle of Wight Festival in June 2022, together with weapons, vehicles, stab vests and other items.

After discarding the festival as a target because he did not have a vehicle, the youth went on to draw up plans to stab people.

The offences took place in 2022, between June 18 and July 11, the day the defendant, who cannot be named, was arrested.

A few days later, on July 17, he was charged with the preparation of terrorist acts, under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. 

Aged 15 at the time, he was diagnosed with autism and became increasingly more radicalised after he converted to Islam in 2021, said Serena Gates, prosecuting, in her opening statement to the court.

The teen came to the attention of counter-terrorism police as a result of information being shared with them by the FBI.

The information shared related to concerns that someone in the UK, using a suspicious username on online platform, Discord, had been planning an attack on July 11, 2022, the court was told.

The boy was subsequently arrested in Ryde on that date.

The teen is due to be sentenced later this year and is currently in custody.