Teenager Admits Attempted Murder in Far-Right Axe Assault in Bristol
Alina Burns, an 18-year-old from Bristol, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder after launching a violent axe attack on a random stranger, driven by a deep-seated obsession with Nazi ideology and far-right extremism. The incident occurred outside a barber's shop in Bedminster, Bristol, on August 2 of last year, targeting Mohammed Mahmoodi, a 27-year-old Iranian Kurd, who was chatting with a friend at the time.
Details of the Attack and Arrest
CCTV footage from inside the shop captured the chilling moment when Burns swung an axe at Mr. Mahmoodi's neck, with him turning and ducking at the last second to avoid a fatal blow. She attempted to strike again, but he managed to disarm her, escaping with painful scratches to his neck and cheek. Police officers on patrol nearby quickly detained Burns, finding a scalpel and several darts in her possession.
When asked by the arresting officer if she had swung the axe, Burns nodded and stated, "I wanted to cut his neck." Further investigation revealed an email she had written to an associate, which read, "Kill all Jews and Muslims in Britain, please." Burns, who displayed an England flag above her bed, was identified as a member of the far-right group Patriotic Alternative.
Extremist Ideology and Pre-Attack Planning
Serena Gates KC, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, described Burns as having "a desire for a white England, achieved, if necessary, through terror." Police uncovered messages where Burns declared herself the "embodiment of hell, destined to annihilate everything holy I bear witness to," and referenced carrying out a "plan" for personal glory.
An examination of her diary and notebooks revealed extensive notes on Germany, Adolf Hitler, and weaponry from the World Wars. In the days leading up to the attack, she conducted online searches, including "what age you buy an axe UK" and "how to properly use an axe for self-defence." She also viewed YouTube videos about mass shooters and graphic "gore" content, such as a fatal stabbing, and researched using darts as weapons.
On the day before the assault, Burns sent herself an email titled "The dawn of civil war," stating, "Land is reclaimed through terror," and adding that it was "better if they flee out of fear rather than displace us in our own home." She purchased the axe from Screwfix on the day of the attack, intending to "kill him or injure the man."
Mental Health Assessment and Legal Proceedings
During a mental health assessment, Burns showed little remorse, responding "fair enough" when asked about her arrest for attempted murder. She admitted she "would go on again but to succeed" if given the chance and inquired if the attack was "in the news yet."
Burns has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and three charges of carrying a bladed weapon in a public place. However, she denies having a terrorist motive, a point the judge will rule on at her sentencing scheduled for May. This case highlights the dangers of radicalization and far-right violence in urban settings.
