A 21-year-old man has today (Monday, November 3) been convicted of planning an act of terrorism.
Jordan Richardson, from Goole, was also found guilty of multiple offences of possessing and disseminating terrorist information following a three-week trial at Leeds Crown Court. Sentencing will take place on December 15, 2025.
Jordan Richardson has been convicted of planning an act of terrorism and possessing and disseminating terrorist information.
Richardson was arrested on December 19, 2024 by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, supported by Humberside Police, following an intelligence-led operation which discovered that he was preparing a terrorist attack.
When he was arrested, he was found to have handwritten notes in his backpack which detailed his attack plan, as well as ingredients and instructions on how to make mustard gas.
Officers searched his home address and found weapons including a crossbow, crossbow bolts, and a combat-style knife.
The court heard that Richardson had converted to Islam earlier in 2024, and very quickly became drawn to extremism.
Richardson joined an Instagram group where he shared extreme terrorist content, including antisemitic and homophobic propaganda, beheading videos from the terrorist group ISIS, and Al-Qaeda bombmaking instructions. He told others online that he identified as a terrorist and wished to commit a terrorist attack himself.
Richardson searched for instructions on how to make explosives, discussed possible targets which included a shopping centre, and researched how to travel to locations including Palestine, Syria and Iraq in furtherance of his extreme ideology.
Following his arrest, and whilst on remand in prison awaiting trial, Richardson told a prison officer that he was a supporter of the so-called Islamic State.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley is the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East. He said: “Jordan Richardson was inspired by the violent propaganda of the so-called Islamic State. He sought to spread their ideology further by sharing their disturbing material and encouraging others to commit terrorist attacks. He was preparing to conduct an attack on members of the public, and to become a martyr to others who share his ideology.
“Richardson blamed social media algorithms for the extremist material which was found on his mobile phone, and he told the jury that he was role playing as an Islamist terrorist online as escapism from the emotional challenges in his life. Ultimately, the jury found that Richardson was motivated by extremism and was fully responsible for his actions.
“This case shows the real-world threat that terrorist content online poses, and how quickly people who view this content can radicalise themselves. In just a few short months, Richardson went from being a new convert to Islam, to being a committed and dangerous extremist. Working closely with our partners, we were able to stop him before anyone was harmed.
“Everyone has a part to play in defeating terrorism. I would urge the public to remain vigilant, and if you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
“You won’t be wasting our time, and you might just help us to save lives.”