A 14-year-old boy who downloaded a video explaining how to make explosives and spray-painted racially aggravated graffiti onto a woman’s fence has been spared a custodial sentence.
The teenager, who cannot be identified due to his age, was instructed by Judge Paul Goldspring to stay out of trouble while being handed a three-year youth rehabilitation order at Nottingham Justice Centre on Friday.
Living in Nottinghamshire, the youth pleaded guilty in July to gathering information useful to anyone committing acts of terrorism, racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, and possessing an offensive weapon after police found a knuckle duster at his mother’s home.
His youth court sentencing hearing heard that the boy was arrested early this year, when a file downloaded from TikTok discussing an ingredient capable of being mixed with other materials to create explosives was discovered on his mobile phone.
Prosecution counsel Alex du Sautoy said the video was examined by an expert in explosive materials and devices, who determined that it gave no detailed instructions on constructing an improvised explosive device.
Mr du Sautoy said no physical items or chemicals were found when the boy’s address was searched.
The court also heard the boy, who was 13 at the time of the offences, had used black spray paint to graffiti a swastika, a racial slur and a reference to Christchurch terror attacker Brenton Tarrant, on a garden fence last year.
In a victim impact statement, the woman whose property it was said it had left her “shocked, scared and in floods of tears”.
She added: “It felt like a personal attack on me, a woman of colour who lives alone.
“I wonder what made you do this, was it pleasure, did you want to scare me or make me angry? I feel all of these things and more.”
Mr du Sautoy said there was no suggestion the boy had a terrorist ideology.
Judge Goldspring said the graffiti was “frankly disgusting” but he believed the boy was influenced by others and did things to fit in, rather than having a fixed belief system.
He said: “Often the term terrorism carries with it more than the actual offending really deserves.”
He added: “Nothing I say today is intended to minimise the seriousness of what happened or the effect your actions may have had on other people, particularly the lady whose fence you daubed frankly disgusting graffiti on.
“I know you know it was disgusting. My job is to deal with the case fairly and according to the law.
“The offences are serious, they involve terrorist-related material, criminal damage and possession of a knuckle duster, but I am sentencing a child.
“You struggle with social understanding and can be influenced by others.
“I think a combination of your age, maturity, vulnerabilities and exposure to harmful online content were the main reasons why you did what you did.
“You have made positive changes, you have engaged with Prevent workers and others, and there are signs you are better able to understand the harm you have caused.”
The judge handed the boy a youth rehabilitation order lasting until 2029 and warned him it would come with “intensive supervision and surveillance”.
He said: “I’m giving you this opportunity because I believe it gives you the chance to build a safe and law-abiding future.
“I’m placing some trust in you – please repay it by staying out of trouble and doing as you are asked.”
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