Elham Asaad Buaras
Three neo-Nazi extremists who stockpiled a deadly arsenal — including a 3D-printed assault rifle — have on May 14, been convicted of plotting a terrorist attack on a mosque in Leeds. Christopher Ringrose, 34, from Cannock in Staffordshire, Brogan Stewart, 25, from Tingley in Wakefield, and Marco Pitzettu, 25, from Mickleover in Derby, were unanimously found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing information useful for terrorism. The judge, Justice Cutts, remanded the men in custody ahead of sentencing in July, warning they must expect “substantial custodial sentences.”
The three men formed what counter-terrorism officers described as a self-styled militant online group driven by “vile racist views” and intent on translating their ideology into violent action. Police raids on properties across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire uncovered an arsenal of more than 200 weapons, including crossbows, swords, machetes, axes, a baseball bat and numerous hunting knives. A nearly completed FGC-9 Mk II 3D-printed assault rifle was found in Ringrose’s loft. Although the weapon was missing a barrel and firing pin, the group were sourcing parts to finish it. Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter-Terrorism Division, said the weapon “could have been used to devastating consequences had it been completed.”
A Nazi flag was found in Stewart’s bedroom, further evidence of the group’s extremist mindset. In court, the men claimed their interest in bushcraft and YouTube “prepper” videos was part of preparing for hypothetical disasters such as a Russian invasion or a zombie apocalypse. However, prosecutors said these explanations masked a far more sinister objective. They argued that the men were actually preparing for a race war and had used so-called “prepper” chat groups to recruit an inner circle, which then progressed to neo-Nazi forums and finally into their own encrypted private group, where they began laying plans for action.
The plot was uncovered thanks to an undercover officer who had infiltrated the group. On January 5 last year, Stewart messaged the officer via the encrypted Telegram app, expressing frustration with other far-right organisations that “just sit around and talk.” He added, “I want to get my own group together because action speaks louder than words.” Stewart went on to appoint Ringrose, who had constructed the 3D-printed firearm, and Pitzettu, who later admitted possessing a stun gun, as the group’s “armourers.”
In a group telephone call on February 5, Stewart discussed plans to “cruise around” near an Islamic education centre looking for “human targets,” before returning home for “tea and medals and a debrief.” Although the group had never met in person, Stewart planned a gathering on February 18 to “hang out, bring ourselves closer together and just cement that brotherhood.” The meeting never took place. All three men were arrested two days later on February 20, 2023.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing Northeast, said the case involved “real world steps to plan and prepare for carrying out an attack on innocent citizens.” He added that the group’s ideology and operational planning made their intent “both clear and deeply disturbing.”
