Alfie Coleman, a 21‑year‑old from Great Notley in Essex, was arrested in September 2023 after a covert operation by the security service.
Undercover officers posed as potential buyers and arranged for Coleman to purchase a Makarov pistol, five magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition. The sale was intercepted by armed counter‑terrorism police in a Morrisons car park in Stratford, where Coleman was brought to the ground and detained.
Searches of his shared residence uncovered a range of weapons and extremist paraphernalia, including knives, a stone axe, an air rifle, a flyer on target shooting, a device for detecting hidden cameras, a rock bearing a swastika, and a Black Sun flag. The home also contained a cache of far‑right literature.
Investigators found that Coleman had emailed a white‑supremacist organization in 2021 expressing a desire to join activism, and that he had drafted plans for attacks such as hijacking a plane, targeting a mosque, and placing explosives in a cash machine. His notes also listed individuals he harboured animosity toward, including a co‑worker of mixed heritage.
During the trial, Coleman described feelings of isolation and mental health struggles during the COVID‑19 lockdowns. He denied that he intended to carry out a terrorist attack, although he admitted attempting to acquire firearms and ammunition.
He pleaded guilty to possessing ten documents that could aid terrorist activity, such as texts on weaponry and bomb‑making. The court found him guilty of preparing for terrorist acts and sentenced him to a prison term.
Coleman is currently serving his sentence, with authorities monitoring his behavior closely to prevent any future threats.
