17-Year-Old Boy Inspired by Hitler, Mussolini, and Breivik Arrested for Planning Terrorist Attack on Inverclyde Muslim Centre in Greenock

In a chilling case that highlights the dangers of online radicalization, a 17-year-old boy from Scotland has been sentenced to 10 years in custody for plotting a terrorist attack on the Inverclyde Muslim Centre in Greenock. The teenager, whose identity is protected due to his age, drew inspiration from some of history’s most notorious figures of fascism and extremism.

His plan, which involved pretending to convert to Islam to gain access to the mosque, was thwarted by police intervention just as he arrived at the building’s door. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how extremist ideologies can take root in young minds and nearly lead to devastating acts of violence. The boy’s actions, driven by neo-Nazi beliefs, have shocked the local community and prompted discussions on security and prevention.

The Plot Unveiled: Details of the Planned Attack

The teenager’s sinister plot began to take shape as early as 2022, when he first considered carrying out an attack at his school in Inverclyde. He recorded himself walking through the school facility, making disturbing comments about planning to “liquidate” an office and describing the idea as “hilarious.” However, his focus shifted to the Inverclyde Muslim Centre, a place of worship with a capacity of 275 people, located on Laird Street in Greenock.

By December 2024, he had initiated contact with the mosque, joining its WhatsApp group and claiming he was “looking for guidance” on converting to Islam. To build trust, the boy befriended the imam, Muhammad Bilal, during several visits to the centre. He presented himself as a polite and eager young man seeking a “balanced life” and closeness to his creator through Islam. The imam provided him with a copy of the Koran and offered support, unaware of the deception.

During these visits, the teenager secretly mapped out the building’s interior using his mobile phone. He filmed himself wandering the corridors, including footage where he superimposed an image of a hand holding a semi-automatic pistol, creating a visual effect that appeared to set a religious poster on fire. His preparations escalated in January 2025. The boy boasted about his intentions on the social media platform Telegram, detailing plans to set the centre on fire using aerosols and lighters.

He drew sketches of areas where victims, including children, would be trapped during the firebomb attack. In a manifesto written on his phone, he declared he would “die for my land” and indicated the attack would occur “tomorrow,” timing it for when the mosque would be at its fullest. He even requested that the attack be livestreamed, underscoring the performative and ideological nature of his extremism. Additionally, he contacted a local rifle club to inquire about obtaining a firearm, showing his determination to arm himself beyond the items he already possessed.

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On January 23, 2025, police acted on intelligence and arrested the teenager as he attempted to enter the Islamic centre. The door was locked, preventing immediate access, but the boy was found carrying a camouflage military-style rucksack. Inside were a German-manufactured Glock-type air pistol capable of firing BBs, ammunition, ball bearings, gas cartridges, and four cans of aerosol spray—items clearly intended for harm.

A 17-year-old 'inspired' by Hitler has been jailed for 10 years after admitting plotting an attack on Inverclyde Muslim Centre.
Police caught the teen carrying a Glock-type air pistol, ammunition, ball bearings, gas cartridges and aerosol cans outside the mosque in January. pic.twitter.com/lsv4igdeQs

— LBC News Scotland (@LBCNewsScot) August 21, 2025

A subsequent search of his home revealed further evidence of his radicalization: a copy of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” air weapons, knives, masks, notepads with swastikas, and instructions along with ingredients for manufacturing explosives. These discoveries painted a picture of a young person deeply immersed in preparations for violence, motivated by hatred.

The plot’s sophistication, including the use of deception to infiltrate the target, raised alarms about the vulnerability of community spaces. Mosque members later reflected on how the boy’s polite demeanor had fooled them, leading to enhanced security measures like additional cameras.

Hamid Akhtar from the centre noted that the incident was a lesson in scrutinizing intentions, while Adeel Naeen emphasized the community’s resilience, stating that it hadn’t deterred people from gathering. This near-miss prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss of life, but it exposed the real threats posed by homegrown extremism.

Inspirations from History’s Dark Figures

At the heart of the teenager’s radicalization were figures synonymous with hatred and mass violence: Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Anders Behring Breivik. The boy, who began his descent into extremism at age 13 through online exposure, developed sympathies with the Nazi Party and believed white people were engaged in a “war” against other races. His autism diagnosis was noted in court, but it did not excuse his actions; instead, it highlighted how vulnerable individuals can be manipulated by online ideologies.

Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany responsible for the Holocaust and World War II, was a primary idol. The discovery of “Mein Kampf” in the boy’s bedroom—a book outlining Hitler’s antisemitic and fascist views—directly linked his beliefs to this historical atrocity. He had been compiling a personal manifesto since November 2022, which included chapters on his political beliefs filled with anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim rhetoric, echoing Hitler’s propaganda.

Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator who founded fascism and allied with Hitler, represented another pillar of inspiration. Mussolini’s authoritarian regime emphasized nationalism, militarism, and suppression of dissent, themes that resonated with the boy’s neo-Nazi worldview. The teenager maintained a list on his phone of fascists he admired, explicitly including Mussolini, showing a deliberate study of fascist history.

Perhaps the most contemporary influence was Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian far-right terrorist who killed 77 people in 2011, mostly youths at a summer camp, in attacks motivated by anti-Islam and anti-multiculturalism sentiments. Breivik’s manifesto and methods, including his desire for publicity through violence, mirrored the boy’s plans. Like Breivik, the teenager created his own manifesto and sought to livestream the attack, aiming to inspire others in the extremist community. His online activities, where he boasted about the plot, further aligned with Breivik’s use of digital platforms to spread ideology.

This trio of inspirations formed a toxic blend that propelled the boy from passive radicalization to active planning. Prosecutors described his beliefs as not just held but ready to be acted upon, driven by racial and religious hatred. Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal, stated that the plan “showed that he not only held neo-Nazi beliefs but was about to act on them to cause pain and suffering.”

The case underscores the enduring appeal of these figures in online echo chambers, where young people can access extremist content unchecked. Experts have long warned about the role of social media in amplifying such ideologies, and this incident exemplifies how historical evils continue to influence modern threats.

Legal Proceedings and Community Impact

The legal process moved swiftly following the arrest. The teenager pleaded guilty to two terrorism charges under the Terrorism Act at the High Court in Glasgow: possession of documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, and engaging in the preparation of committing acts of terrorism. These charges encompassed his manifesto, explosive instructions, and the weapons found in his possession.

Sentencing occurred on August 21, 2025, at the same court, where Lord Arthurson described the intended act as “a quite diabolical atrocity involving extreme violence and multiple deaths.” The judge noted that the boy’s conduct was only halted by his arrest “when you were quite literally at the very door of the centre.” He was handed a 10-year custodial sentence, with an additional eight years of supervision on licence upon release, reflecting the severity of the threat and the need for long-term monitoring.

Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston praised the investigation as “fast-moving and complicated,” emphasizing that keeping communities safe from terrorism remains a priority. The Crown Office highlighted the risks of online extremist material, which can incite others and spread hatred.

The impact on the Greenock community has been profound. The Inverclyde Muslim Centre, a hub for local Muslims, viewed the incident as a wake-up call. Imam Muhammad Bilal recalled the boy’s shocking statement about wanting a balanced life through conversion, only to learn of the betrayal. The centre has since bolstered security, installing more cameras and reviewing visitor protocols. Despite the fear, the community remains strong; as one member put it, “The event is an isolated event, but… we are glad that the police were able to stop anything from happening.”

Broader implications include calls for better online regulation and early intervention programs for at-risk youth. This case joins a growing list of foiled plots inspired by far-right extremism, prompting reflection on societal divisions. While the sentence provides justice, it also raises questions about rehabilitation for radicalized minors and preventing future tragedies. In conclusion, this thwarted attack reveals the persistent shadow of extremism in society. Through vigilance and community solidarity, such threats can be countered, but the work to address root causes must continue.