A British teenager has been sentenced to 14 months in a young offenders’ institution after admitting to possessing an al-Qaeda training manual and openly praising a mass killer linked to a stabbing attack in Southport. The case highlights growing concerns over online radicalisation and youth access to extremist material.
Teenager Held After Disturbing Online Praise and Extremist Downloads
An 18-year-old from Wales, identified as McKenzie Morgan, was arrested after authorities uncovered social media posts in which he lauded Axel Rudakubana — the perpetrator of the 2024 Southport attack that left three young girls dead and several others injured. Prosecutors presented evidence that Morgan had downloaded a 188-page al-Qaeda training document and saved it on his device, a serious offence under UK terrorism laws.
During police interviews, information emerged showing he had researched violent attack methods and engaged in conversations about emulating previous attacks, raising alarm among investigators.
Court Hearing Uncovers Potential Attack Planning
In court, prosecutors revealed messages suggesting Morgan had expressed intentions to carry out similar acts of violence and had looked into online methods for acquiring knives. He also reportedly identified specific locations, including a dance academy and a major music concert venue, as possible targets.
Although those more serious charges did not proceed due to lack of direct evidence, Morgan acknowledged that he had kept extremist material on his phone. At his sentencing at the Old Bailey, the judge determined the possession of documents likely to be useful to someone preparing acts of terrorism warranted detention, even though the teenager claimed he intended merely to shock others with his statements.
Vulnerability and Radicalisation Concerns
Defense statements noted that Morgan had been diagnosed with autism and was considered vulnerable to online radicalisation by psychiatric evaluators. This aspect of the case has renewed discussions among UK officials and security experts about how young people are exposed to and influenced by extremist content on social platforms.
