A Lancashire-based neo-Nazi received a prison sentence of over two years for praising the terrorist who murdered MP Jo Cox, promoting banned terror groups, and stirring up racial hatred online.
Kieran Turner, 37, re-shared the Christchurch terror attack video online on the day it happened.
The BBC reported that the 37-year-old was an army veteran.
Turner used alternative social media platforms like GAB and Bitchute to spread racist and harmful propaganda – according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), between 2016 and 2020, he “posted and re-shared material expressing antisemitic, transphobic, misogynistic, homophobic, racist and Islamophobic views.”
A year earlier, Kieran Turner wrote: “Britain needs 650 Thomas Mairs.”
Counter-terror police arrested him in November 2021, gathering substantial evidence of their online behaviour: encouraging terrorism, stirring up racial hatred, and disseminating terror attack videos.
Great Manchester Police revealed that Turner praised the banned neo-Nazi terror groups National Action and the Sonnenkrieg Division whilst possessing a copy of the white supremacist screed written by the Christchurch terrorist.
Our research revealed how over twenty individuals, later convicted of far-right terrorism offences, took inspiration from or sought to replicate the terror attacks in Christchurch.
Appearing at Manchester Crown Court on February 8, Turner received a prison sentence of 2 years and 8 months following guilty pleas: one count of encouraging terrorism (contravening Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006); two counts of disseminating terrorist publications (breaching Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006); and seven counts of stirring up racial hatred in written materials – contrary to Section 19 (1) of the Public Order Act 1986.
Responding to Kieran Turner’s jailing, who leads the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, made clear: “Kieran Turner’s extreme views and his relentless attempts to stir up hatred have no place in society.
“His online posts and comments were abhorrent and far-right extremists such as Turner have the potential to threaten public safety and security.
“The CPS will always seek to prosecute such appalling online criminal behaviour, and it is only right that Turner has been sentenced today for his crimes.”
Detective Superintendent Andrew Meeks, from the Counter Terrorism Policing North West, described how the investigation “revealed he held abhorrent views. The ideology he promoted creates fear and distrust and will not be tolerated,” adding that: “A lot of the work carried out by CTPNW cannot be seen but rest assured we are committed to identifying and prosecuting those who pose a risk to our society.