Would-be accomplice tells court why he told police about ‘plot to kill migrants’
An informer told a court why he told police about an alleged white supremacist’s supposed plans to fire-bomb a migrant hotel, explaining that he found terrorism “disgusting”.
Mikka Anderson, 24, tried to recruit an accomplice to assist in an alleged plan to kill as many occupants of the Royal Hotel in Hull as possible earlier this year, jurors at Newcastle Crown Court have heard.
Anderson denies preparing an act of terrorism, including by manufacturing Molotov Cocktails and by conducting hostile reconnaissance on the hotel.
He also denies possessing knives and other weapons for terrorist purposes.
Jurors have heard how, in February, Anderson contacted the man who had been involved in previous disorder in the city and tried to recruit him to his plan, later describing him as “a proper warrior”.
The would-be accomplice cannot be identified by the media for legal reasons.
The men met in Hull city centre and talked for around an hour and walked up to the Royal Hotel.
Two days later the witness went to a police station and told officers about his concerns about Anderson, that the hotel would be attacked the following month and he showed them messages they had swapped.
Adam Birkby, prosecuting, asked why the man went to the police.
The witness told the court: “I don’t agree with terrorism. You can’t kill an innocent person because of their beliefs, sexuality, things like that.
“You see terrorism on the television all time. I think it’s disgusting.”
Mr Birkby asked the witness why Anderson said he wanted to attack the hotel.
The man replied: “He said it was full of nonces, rapists, people that shouldn’t be in our country.”
The witness told the court Anderson’s plan was to attack the building with Molotov Cocktails fired by some kind of device, along with made-made flares to set curtains on fire.
Asked by the prosecution what his impression of Anderson was, the man added: “His mindset was made up, he wanted to kill as many people as possible and he wanted my help to do that.”
He told the jury he felt it was his duty to his country to inform the authorities and save lives.
Andrew Stranex, defending, suggested the plan was formulated by the would-be accomplice, not the defendant.
The witness denied it and said: “I am proud of what I did. I saved innocent lives.”
Mr Stranex suggested the witness “tried to take the heat off by pointing the finger elsewhere”.
He replied: “I know I was not in any trouble because that was not my plan.”
The trial continues on Friday.