Three British men with neo-Nazi affiliations were sentenced to prison on Friday for their involvement in a conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism targeting ethnic and religious minorities. Christopher Ringrose, 35, Marco Pitzettu, 25, and Brogan Stewart, 25, were found guilty earlier this year of planning violent attacks, culminating in their sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court.
The court heard that the trio had used online platforms to discuss and organize their malicious plans. Despite not having met in person prior to their court appearance, their shared extremist ideology brought them together in a dangerous mission that included targeting an Islamic Education Center in Leeds, northern England.
Judge Johannah Cutts, in her sentencing remarks, described the defendants as having collected a significant arsenal of weapons, including crossbows, swords, and knives, intended for their assaults. Additionally, Ringrose was found to have constructed parts of a semi-automatic firearm using 3D-printing technology. The severity of their plans was underscored by the fact that they amassed considerable information pertinent to carrying out acts of terrorism.
In the courtroom proceedings, a 374-page dossier detailing their online activities revealed the depth of their hatred. Judge Cutts stated that the document was saturated with hostility directed toward non-white individuals, particularly Muslims and immigrants. The evidence presented illustrated their adherence to an ideology of white supremacy and the disturbing belief in an impending race war.
Furthermore, the jury dismissed claims made by the defendants alleging they were merely fantasists without genuine intent to act. The judge noted that their glorification of Adolf Hitler and the German Nazi Party, alongside admiration for mass murderers who targeted minority communities, was profoundly concerning.
In the conclusion of the case, Stewart received an 11-year sentence, Ringrose was sentenced to 10 years, and Pitzettu faced eight years in prison. The sentences reflect the court’s commitment to addressing the growing threat posed by extremist ideologies and underscore the seriousness of their criminal intentions.
