Northumberland teen jailed for belonging to banned neo-Nazi group

A 16-year-old boy from Northumberland has been sentenced to three and a half years in detention, followed by an additional year under supervision, after admitting involvement with a proscribed neo-Nazi organization. The youth, whose identity remains protected due to his age, was found guilty of membership in The Base, a paramilitary group promoting white supremacy and race war ideologies.

Leeds Crown Court also convicted the teenager of possessing and distributing terror-related materials. However, jurors were unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding a charge alleging that he was planning an attack on synagogues in Newcastle. The prosecution subsequently announced they would not pursue a retrial on that specific charge. In a raid conducted in February 2025 when the boy was 15, counter-terrorism officers uncovered a collection of weapons in his home. This arsenal included a crossbow, knives, and a gas-powered air pistol.

Further investigations revealed his participation in extremist right-wing chat groups across various social media platforms such as Telegram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Wire. Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the teenager did not intend to carry out any terrorist acts, urging consideration of his difficult upbringing. Judge Wall acknowledged the boy’s deeply held extremist and antisemitic beliefs, noting his troubled childhood marked by bullying, isolation, and difficulty forming friendships.

The judge stated the teenager must serve 15 more months in detention, having already spent time in custody since his arrest. Following his release, he will undergo 26 months of supervision in the community. Addressing the boy via videolink, the judge emphasized the importance of compliance with his supervisors who will assist him in coming to terms with his actions and staying out of trouble. The court also imposed a criminal behavior order limiting his access to computers and the internet, highlighting his unhealthy fixation on weapons, warfare, and paramilitary groups as a factor that led him into the extremist world. Meanwhile, police images of the teen’s bedroom, featuring military clothing, Nazi-themed posters, and various weapons, were presented during the trial. Northumberland police area commander Ch Supt Kevin Waring remarked on the impact such cases have on the close-knit local communities

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