Three Neo-Nazis jailed after plotting violent attacks on mosques and synagogues
Three men with extreme right-wing views have been jailed for a total of 29 years after plotting terrorist attacks targeting mosques and synagogues. The group, which prosecutors described as an inner circle of neo-Nazi sympathisers, formed a private network with the aim of carrying out violence rather than simply spreading propaganda online.
The individuals and their sentences
Brogan Stewart, aged 25, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Marco Pitzettu, also 25, received an eight-year term, while Christopher Ringrose, 34, was given 10 years. The men were convicted at Sheffield Crown Court on charges of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing information useful to terrorism.
As part of their preparedness, the trio stockpiled body armour and more than 200 weapons, including crossbows, swords, machetes, axes, hunting knives, and a 3D-printed firearms component. Prosecutors highlighted that the 3D-printed rifle, identified as the FGC-9 Mk II, was nearly complete but missing the barrel and firing pin. The group is believed to have been sourcing parts to complete the weapon, which could have caused “devastating consequences” if used in an attack.
How the plot unfolded
The men shared a fascination with bushcraft and “preppers” on YouTube, the court heard, but their ideology rapidly evolved into a plan for violent action against minority communities. They used online platforms to recruit an inner circle and then migrated to neo-Nazi chat groups before forming their own private network. An undercover officer infiltrated the group on 5 January last year, bringing the operation into public view.
During communications, Stewart positioned himself as the self-appointed leader, attempting to co-ordinate the others and set a timetable for action. He appointed Ringrose and Pitzettu as “armourers” and discussed acquiring a uniform, as well as potential targets including mosques and synagogues. A key exchange on 5 February last year described a plan to “cruise around” seeking “human targets” near an Islamic education centre in Leeds, with the intention of returning to a member’s home for a debrief afterward.
The plan did not come to fruition, and the operation was halted when counter-terrorism police conducted raids on properties across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire on 20 February. In May, the jury at trial found all three men guilty of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing information useful for terrorism. Ringrose was additionally convicted of manufacturing the lower receiver for a 3D-printed firearm, while Pitzettu admitted to possessing a stun gun.
警方 and official reaction
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, stated that the group’s composition stemmed from “extreme racist views.” He emphasised that the defendants had idolised the Nazi party and expressed hostility toward Jewish and Muslim communities. Dunkerley warned that, without timely intervention, the group could have carried out a fatal attack.
Implications for security and public safety
The case underscores ongoing concerns about homegrown extremism and the ability of online networks to foster real-world violence. Law enforcement agencies have stressed the importance of infiltrating such groups early and dismantling the networks before they escalate to action. The sentences serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar plots, highlighting that the justice system treats the planning of terrorist acts with the utmost seriousness.
As the news cycle continues to monitor related cases, authorities reiterate the need for vigilance in communities and the critical role of counter-extremism efforts in preventing hate-fueled violence.
