In Operation Becquerelite, Joey Kwong prosecuted a youth who pleaded guilty to 7 counts of terrorism offences at Nottingham Crown Court.
The youth distributed terrorist publications across 5 social media platforms with the intention to encourage others to commit acts of terrorism. Two posts in particular received thousands of likes. He sent thousands of messages to others, including encouraging others to join ISIS abroad and to obtain bomb-making manuals. He himself was also found in possession of two viable manuals for creating incendiary devices. He further breached his Youth Conditional Caution by continuing to proselytise with a new, undeclared social media account.
The youth initially advanced a basis that he committed the offences recklessly, in order to make friends online, with no intention to encourage others to commit acts of terrorism. Joey responded by conducting a detailed analysis of the digital evidence, and identified sample messages to rebut this basis.
The youth withdrew his basis of plea, and was sentenced to 2 years' detention in a Young Offender Institution, with a one-year extended licence, and notification requirements.
Joey Kwong was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service (Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division).
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