A Glasgow-based neo-Nazi who shared a video of how to build a sub-machine gun in a fascist Telegram channel that contained members of the Keighley terror cell pleaded guilty to terror offences on Thursday.
James Farrell, 32, from the Pollok area of the city, shared his racist views with other members of the Oaken Hearth Telegram channel under the pseudonym “Jabz”.
Appearing at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday (February 9), Farrel pleaded guilty to a terror offence related to the “direct or indirect encouragement” to the “commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.
The Scottish Daily Record reported that Farrell called for the firebombing of synagogues in the chat.
A member of the Keighley terror cell had also uploaded the terrorist manual of the notorious US-based neo-Nazi James Mason as the Christchurch terror attack video, which claimed the lives of 51 Muslims, appeared in the group chat.
Members of the Keighley terror cell, who manufactured weapons and advocated racist violence, were jailed for over thirty years last July.
Farrell also posted extreme, dehumanising anti-Black racism.
Materials uploaded by James Farrell to the group included instructional documents and a video clip that would help individuals build a non-firing sub-machine gun, the court heard.
Alterations to the weapon would make it a viable, deadly weapon.
The arrests of the Keighley cell tipped police off to Farrell as part of a more comprehensive counter-terror investigation into the Oaken Hearth group. Photos uploaded to the group by Farrell, including neo-Nazi literature and a bronze axe police subsequently found in his address.
A press release from Police Scotland highlighted the intelligence sharing from Counter Terrorism Policing North East, as conversations between members in England with Farrell warranted the attention of their officers.
Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston, Police Scotland’s Head of Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “Farrell not only expressed views which are totally unacceptable in a civilised society but his actions in sharing material of this nature had the potential of significantly endangering the public.
“His conviction is testament to the work of Police Scotland officers and shows the value of working in partnership with our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing across the UK. Police Scotland is grateful for the assistance of Counter Terrorism officers from the North East of England, who initiated the investigation which led to Farrell’s activities being uncovered.”
Sentencing will take place next month.