To his neighbours, Kevin Rees did not seem like an extremist. The 63-year-old, a retiree who once repaired domestic appliances, lived on a tree-lined street in Sidcup, Bexley, south-east London. “He’s a quiet character – I’ve lived opposite him for 10 years and never really spoken to him,” said a neighbour, Sam, who declined to give her full name.
From Online Rants to Real-World Violence
Behind closed curtains, however, Rees operated under the online alias “The Exterminator,” where he frequently expressed anger towards London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the city’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). The Ulez zone expanded in 2023 to include outer boroughs like Bexley. It was this online activity that ultimately led to his arrest and conviction this week at Woolwich Crown Court.
Rees was found guilty of detonating a homemade bomb that destroyed a Ulez camera on Willersley Avenue. The jury determined the explosion posed a danger to life. Shrapnel from the blast travelled 100 metres, damaging a van, a car tyre, a child’s bedroom window, and a wendy house.
Bethan David, head of counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), stated it was “pure chance that no one suffered serious injury or worse” and hoped the conviction would deter others from taking the law into their own hands.
The Radicalizing Influence of Online Communities
This case is raising concerns about the radicalizing potential of online communities. According to Georgie Laming, director of campaigns at Hope Not Hate, the anti-Ulez movement has been increasingly co-opted by far-right elements, exposing individuals to conspiracy theories, disinformation, and Islamophobia.
Rees himself told the court he joined anti-Ulez groups because he was “bored” and seeking “a community.” He denied the charges and blamed his arrest on “Facebook police.”
An investigation published in 2024 by Greenpeace’s Unearthed team and The Observer revealed a network of 36 anti-Ulez Facebook groups with 38,000 members, some of which included Conservative politicians and celebrated vandalism against Ulez cameras. These groups were also found to be platforms for racist and Islamophobic content.
What Might Happen Next?
Rees is awaiting sentencing later this year. It is possible that his case will lead to increased scrutiny of online anti-Ulez groups and a more concerted effort to counter extremist narratives. Law enforcement could also increase monitoring of online activity related to protests and potential threats. However, without addressing the underlying grievances that fuel these movements, it is likely that similar incidents could occur in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Kevin Rees convicted of?
Kevin Rees was convicted of blowing up a Ulez camera with a homemade bomb and three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.
What role did online communities play in this case?
Rees was a member of anti-Ulez Facebook groups where he expressed anger towards the mayor and the Ulez zone. Experts believe these groups contributed to his radicalization.
What was the extent of the damage caused by the explosion?
Shrapnel from the explosion travelled 100 metres, denting a van, blowing out a car tyre, splintering a window frame in a child’s bedroom, and damaging a wendy house.
As online spaces continue to shape public discourse, what responsibility do social media platforms and individuals have in preventing the spread of extremist ideologies?
