Three Neo-Nazis jailed for plotting mosque and synagogue attacks
Three men with extremist beliefs were jailed for a total of 29 years after plotting violent acts against places of worship in the UK. The sentences were handed down at Sheffield Crown Court to Brogan Stewart (11 years), Marco Pitzettu (8 years), and Christopher Ringrose (10 years).
The trio, aged 25, 25, and 34 respectively, amassed a large stockpile of weapons and equipment, including crossbows, swords, machetes, axes, hunting knives, and a 3D-printed gun. Prosecutors told the court that their apparatus could have been used to inflict devastating harm had they progressed with their plans.
The court heard they had a shared interest in bushcraft and online communities of “preppers” who prepare for potential catastrophes. However, prosecutors argued that the men were moving beyond survivalism toward a readiness for a race war, using online networks to recruit an inner circle and then moving to neo-Nazi chat groups before establishing their own private circle to take action.
The group’s activities were infiltrated by an undercover officer on 5 January of the previous year, which ultimately led to the investigation and arrests. In communications, Stewart described his disillusionment with other far-right groups that “sit around and talk,” expressing a desire to form a group that could take concrete action.
Stewart acted as an informal leader, appointing Ringrose and Pitzettu as “armourers” and discussing uniforms and targets, including mosques and synagogues. A group call on 5 February outlined a plan to “cruise around” looking for “human targets” near an Islamic education centre in Leeds, with the men intending to reconvene at a later date for a debrief and to celebrate with a meal and medals. The plan never materialized, and the operation was halted when authorities intervened.
None of the three defendants had previously met in person prior to the operation, a detail highlighted during the trial as investigators described how they used online anonymity to cultivate a shared extremist ethos. The group was finally dismantled on 20 February following police raids across multiple counties, including Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire.
Guilt and sentencing
In May, a jury 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 possession of a stun gun. Defence arguments that the defendants were fantasists with no real intent were rejected by the jury.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, described the case as an example of how extremist ideologies can morph into violent plans. He stated that the defendants idolised the Nazi regime and harbored deep-seated hatred toward Jewish and Muslim communities. “If we had not taken action, this group could have carried out a violent attack with fatal consequences,” he said.
The sentences reflect the seriousness of the threat posed by individuals who combine online radicalisation with real-world preparation. While the vast majority of people who identify with particular ideologies do not engage in violence, law enforcement stresses the importance of preventing plots before they reach execution stages.
This is a developing story, with authorities promising to publish further details as they become available. Readers are advised to refresh the page for the latest updates.
