A 21-year-old former supermarket worker has been convicted of preparing for terrorist acts following a sophisticated undercover sting by MI5. Alfie Coleman, from Great Notley in Essex, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Thursday after a retrial.
The Undercover Sting in East London
The investigation culminated on the morning of September 29, 2023, in a Morrisons car park in Stratford, east London. Coleman, who was 19 at the time, arranged to meet an undercover officer to purchase a Makarov pistol, five magazines, and 200 rounds of ammunition.
Jurors viewed video footage of Coleman dropping £3,500 into a Land Rover Discovery and retrieving a holdall containing the weapon and ammunition from the boot. He was confronted by armed counter-terrorism police and forced to the ground before he had walked 30 metres.
At the time of his arrest, Coleman was carrying his Tesco employee card. He had previously attempted to purchase an AK47 rifle, a Škorpion automatic weapon, and bullets in France in early September 2023 after identifying a mosque as a target, though he quickly abandoned that specific plan.
A Pattern of Radicalization and Hatred
Court evidence revealed that Coleman began trawling the internet for extreme right-wing material at the age of 14, including downloading a neo-Nazi text onto his iPad. In July 2021, he emailed the white supremacist organization Patriotic Alternative expressing a desire to participate in “activism.”
Prosecutor Nicholas De La Poer KC stated that Coleman was “seething with hatred” when he created a list of colleagues and customers in September 2022. He branded these individuals as “race traitors” or used racial slurs, specifically singling out a white female co-worker married to a man of mixed Indian and Seychellois heritage.
Coleman’s “manifesto,” written in a diary, drew inspiration from extremist mass killers he viewed as “warriors.” His documented plans for attacks included hijacking a plane and targeting the home of the ceremonial lord mayor of London—whose address he had mistaken for that of elected mayor Sadiq Khan.
Police Warning on Youth Extremism
DCS Helen Flanagan warned that “horrific” extremist material is easily accessible, noting that younger individuals are increasingly being radicalized online. She revealed that one in five people currently dealt with in counter-terrorism is a child.
Police have noted an increase in younger referrals to Prevent, a multi-agency programme designed to stop individuals from becoming terrorists. Flanagan emphasized the need for parental vigilance to prevent online influence from turning into lethal threats.
During the trial, Coleman admitted to attempting to possess a firearm and ammunition and pleaded guilty to possessing 10 documents useful to terrorists, including instructions on bomb-making and weaponry. However, he denied he was preparing for a terrorist attack.
What Happens Next
Alfie Coleman has been remanded into custody following the verdict. He is scheduled to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on July 8.
Given the nature of the conviction for preparing terrorist acts, the court may consider the extent of his planned targets and the weapons he sought to acquire during sentencing. This case could also lead to increased scrutiny of online platforms where extremist materials are hosted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the intended targets of Alfie Coleman’s plans?
Coleman identified several potential targets, including a mosque and the home of the ceremonial lord mayor of London. He also compiled a “hate-list” of colleagues and customers from his workplace.
What materials were found during the search of his home?
Police discovered a black sun flag, a rock with a swastika, various extreme right-wing books, a bug-detection device, and a collection of knives, an air rifle, and a small stone axe.
What was the role of MI5 in this case?
MI5 conducted a “highly sophisticated operation” involving undercover officers who engaged with Coleman through encrypted chats while he was seeking to purchase weapons, eventually leading to his arrest in a car park sting.
How can parents better identify the signs of online radicalization in young people?
