A 15-year-old boy from Eastleigh has been found not guilty of terrorism offences at Leicester Crown Court. The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, was charged in June with preparing terrorist acts linked to Islamist extremism.
Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) brought the case against the boy under section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006. He was initially arrested by Hampshire Constabulary on June 12 and was later re-arrested under the Terrorism Act by CTPSE officers.
After a tense 10-day trial, the jury at Leicester Crown Court cleared the teenager of all charges. The verdict comes amid widespread community concerns following the initial arrest.
Chief Inspector Marcus Cator, Eastleigh District Commander, responded to the verdict, saying: “We understand the worries this case caused locally. We’ve worked closely with CTPSE throughout and respect the jury’s decision today.”
He added, “We urge the public to keep reporting suspicious activities. Lockdown increased online time for everyone, including children, putting some vulnerable youngsters at risk of exposure to harmful content.”
“Support services are still stretched due to the pandemic. Parents should monitor what their children access online and seek help if behaviour changes. There are resources available for those concerned.”
For support and advice, visit the Let’s Talk About It and Action Counters Terrorism websites, which are part of the Government’s Prevent campaign. These sites provide guidance for parents, teachers, and community leaders.
Originally published by UKNIP.
