A NEO-Nazi who planned to attack an LGBT group has been given an extended sentence of 15 years and will be monitored until he is 85 years old.
Sicko Alan Edward, was snared with an arsenal of menacing weapons and found guilty of a series of sinister terrorism offences.
Judge Fiona Tait today told Edward at his sentencing hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today there was “no alternative to a prison sentence”.
She said Edward – who has been assessed as posing a “high risk” of re-offending – must be “punished and deterred” from future conduct and there was a need to “protect the public from you”.
His trial earlier this year heard that in an “incredibly sinister” online chat he said: “It’s clearly time to hunt the f*****s down and beat them.”
The ex-journalist, 55, was arrested after cops raided his home in Falkirk in September 2022.
They found “an armoury” that included a telescopic crossbow, 14 knives, machetes, a tomahawk, Samurai sword, knuckledusters and a stun gun.
The High Court in Stirling was told Edward had been messaging an associate on WhatsApp about the proposed attack on a local LBGT group.
The admirer of Adolf Hitler expressed “a set of ideals with a neo-Nazi outlook, incorporating notions of white supremacy”.
He wrote: “Jews are behind it all. We will send Satan’s filthy K***s back to hell where they belong.”
A jury nailed him for four charges under the Terrorism Act.
They included possession of weaponry for terrorist acts.
He was also found guilty of racism, anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, possessing a stun gun, breach of the peace and producing and supplying cannabis.
Judge Tait sentenced him to 15 years, comprising ten years in custody backdated to September 2022 followed by years five on licence upon his release.
She also made Edward subject to notification requirements for 30 years and imposed a serious crime prevention order for five years.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Superintendent Stephen Clark, Head of Counter Terrorism Investigations at Police Scotland, said: “Edward shared extreme racist and homophobic content online with the aim of stirring up hatred and spreading fear and alarm.
“His complete disregard for the corrosive impact this could have on our communities heightened these dangerous actions.
“It is entirely unacceptable to promote terrorism or extremism, and this conviction displays how we will not hesitate to investigate online or offline behaviour which breaches terrorism or other criminal legislation.
“Holding an array of weaponry posed a clear and significant risk to the public which underlines the importance of him being brought to justice.
“We are committed to combatting terrorism and help and support from the public is vital.
“Anyone with information on a terrorist threat should contact Police Scotland on 101 immediately.”
