Teenage Neo-Nazi Arrested in MI5 Sting Operation at London Supermarket
A neo-Nazi teenager was apprehended by MI5 operatives as he attempted to purchase a firearm for a terrorist attack, the Old Bailey has been informed. Alfie Coleman, aged 19 at the time, was arrested by armed police outside a Morrisons supermarket in Stratford, East London, on September 29, 2023.
Shocking Arrest Witnessed by Lunchtime Shoppers
Jurors heard that lunchtime shoppers witnessed a dramatic and shocking scene when three men pointed stun guns at Coleman as he walked across the car park carrying a bag. Nicholas De La Poer KC, the prosecutor, revealed that the bag contained what appeared to be a handgun and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition.
Counter-terrorism officers were fully aware of the contents because they had orchestrated the sale themselves, De La Poer stated. The arrest marked the culmination of Coleman's persistent efforts to acquire a firearm, which included contacting individuals online through encrypted messaging platforms.
Undercover Operation Unfolds Over Months
De La Poer explained to jurors that, unbeknownst to Coleman, he had been communicating with several undercover operatives over the preceding months. This covert investigation culminated in MI5 operatives agreeing to sell him a Makarov pistol, five magazines, and 200 rounds of ammunition.
The arrangement involved Coleman retrieving the items from a Land Rover Discovery parked in the Morrisons car park. He left £3,500 in cash in the front passenger seat footwell and collected the bag from the boot. Before he could travel 30 yards, armed officers confronted and arrested him.
Extreme Right-Wing Ideology and Terrorist Plans
The prosecutor asserted that Coleman harbored an extreme right-wing ideology and was planning to use the gun in a terrorist attack. He idolized figures like Thomas Mair, who murdered MP Jo Cox, and adhered to beliefs in white supremacy and neo-Nazism.
Coleman allegedly collected numerous terrorist documents, conducted extensive online research, and wrote a manifesto outlining his intentions. De La Poer emphasized that Coleman engaged in conversations on encrypted social media platforms such as Wire and Telegram with individuals he believed shared his views, ultimately leading him to the Morrisons car park.
Earlier Attack Plans and Manifesto Details
The court was presented with evidence of an alleged earlier attack plan dating back to June 2022, just before Coleman turned 18. In this plan, he reportedly identified the Mayor of London house as his target, including the postcode for the Lord Mayor's residence.
A section titled weapons I can get easy listed knives and crossbows. In September 2022, Coleman allegedly compiled a list on his phone with offensive language next to vehicle number plates, including that of a white female co-worker labeled a race traitor.
Jurors were told that while Coleman worked at Tesco and presented a normal exterior, he was seething with hatred on the inside. He has pleaded guilty to possession of 10 documents useful to terrorists and attempting to possess a deactivated firearm and ammunition.
Trial Continues with Denial of Terrorism Charges
Alfie Coleman, now 21 and from Great Notley in Essex, has denied preparing acts of terrorism. The Old Bailey trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected to delve deeper into the evidence and allegations surrounding this high-profile case.
