Neo-Nazi extremists guilty of planning terror attack on mosque

Three neo-Nazis who stockpiled weapons including a 3D-printed assault rifle are facing "substantial" prison sentences after they were found guilty of plotting a terrorist attack on a mosque in Leeds.

Counter-terrorism police found an arsenal of more than 200 weapons that included crossbows, swords, machetes, axes, a baseball bat and numerous hunting knives, following raids on properties in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. An almost completed FGC-9 Mk II printed assault rifle was found in the loft of one of the suspects.

It was missing the barrel and firing pin but the men were sourcing the components to complete the weapon. The three men had a shared interest in bushcraft and YouTube "prepper" videos, claiming in court they were preparing for a "shit hits the fan" scenario such as a Russian invasion or a zombie apocalypse.

However, prosecutors said they were actually preparing for a race war and had used the prepper groups to recruit an inner circle which moved on to neo-Nazi chat groups before setting up their own private group, as they prepared to take action. Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing North East, said the "self-styled militant online group" espoused "vile racist views" and took "real world steps to plan and prepare for carrying out an attack on innocent citizens".

Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter-Terrorism Division, said that the 3D-printed firearm "could have been used to devastating consequences" if it had been completed. The group was infiltrated by an undercover officer and on 5 January last year, Brogan Stewart messaged the officer on the encrypted Telegram app, telling him he was disillusioned with other far-right groups that just "sit around and talk".

"I want to get my own group together because action speaks louder than words," he added. Stewart, 25, from Tingley, Wakefield, appointed Christopher Ringrose, 34, from Cannock, Staffordshire, who had constructed the 3D firearm, and Marco Pitzettu, 25, from Mickleover, Derby, as "armourers" for the new group.

Stewart convened a group telephone call on 5 February in which he said the plan was to "cruise around" looking for "human targets" near an Islamic education centre, "do what whatever we do then back at mine for tea and medals and a debrief." Before the "operation" went ahead he wanted the members, who had never met in person, to "hang out, bring ourselves closer together and just cement that brotherhood" on 18 February, but the event did not go ahead and the group were arrested on 20 February. All three were found unanimously guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing information useful for terrorism.

Ringrose was found guilty of manufacturing the lower receiver for a 3D firearm. Pitzettu pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun.

The judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, remanded all three in custody ahead of sentencing in July and told them they must expect "substantial custodial sentences.".