Right-wing extremist to be jailed for breaching terror prevention order

The defendant, who can only be referred to as LXB, was made subject to a Tpim (Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures) order in 2022 after being released from custody following his conviction for possessing material likely to be used for a terrorist purpose.

Leeds Crown Court heard he had also previously made threats to kill a Jewish MP, and had another conviction for making explosives.

The man, who is in his 20s, has pleaded guilty to four counts of contravening a Tpim notice, which allows the authorities to monitor suspected terrorists who are not subject to criminal charges.

The court heard after his release from custody LXB was subject to strict measures controlling his electronic communication.

Police attended his home in June last year after he tried to set up a bank account on a device that was not known to them, a judge heard.

During a search officers found a GoPro camera and micro SD card which the defendant was not allowed to have without Home Office approval.

The hearing on Monday was told that the SD card contained videos LXB appeared to have made of himself trying to inform others of his Tpim and what it is like to live under one.

He was also found to have made hundreds of internet searches over four months that were in breach of his restrictions.

The court heard he used the search bar of the Guardian website to make Google searches, in order to get around the blocking software that would have prevented the searches on his Home Office -approved laptop.

He was found to have made searches relating to Andrew Tate , the Bristol bus boycott and "the science of terrorism," the court heard.

In his police interview LXB said he was challenging the Tpim restrictions in the High Court , claiming they were "overly onerous" and "designed to cause me to breach the order and criminalise me".

He told officers he had received the camera for his birthday and attempted to notify the Home Office .

In mitigation, the court heard LXB was a "lonely, isolated person" and that the Tpim measures made it hard for him to form friendships.

Judge Tom Bayliss KC said he would sentence the defendant on Tuesday, and that jail was the only possible sentence.

The BBC has reported that LXB was the first suspected right-wing extremist to have been made subject to a Tpim since the powers were introduced in 2011, with all previous subjects having been suspected Islamic extremists.