Glasgow, Scotland – A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after a court heard how he amassed an “armoury” of weapons and shared violent, racist material online, including threats against minority groups. Alan Edward, 43, was found guilty of a range of offences under the Terrorism Act, including terrorism-related charges, Holocaust denial, and racism, after police seized an array of dangerous items from his home.
The items recovered included a crossbow, machetes, a samurai sword, a tomahawk, knuckledusters, an extendable baton, and a stun gun. Authorities also discovered fourteen knives, some bearing Nazi and SS insignia, as well as an air pistol, SS-style skull mask, goggles, a respirator, and fighting gloves with hardened knuckles. The police also seized pellets, ball bearings, and crossbow hunting tips.
Prosecutors argued that these items formed part of an “armoury,” with the potential for deadly use. During the investigation, it was revealed that Edward had been sharing violent and racist content online, expressing admiration for neo-Nazi mass murderer Anders Breivik. Breivik was responsible for the 2011 Norway attacks that killed 77 people. A document found on Edward’s computer referred to Breivik as “Saint Anders.”
Edward came to the attention of counter-terrorism officers after posting a video of a National Action rally in 2016, shortly before the far-right group became the first to be banned under the Terrorism Act. Between December 2017 and September 2022, Edward shared various racist, homophobic, and violent material, including memes and videos linked to extreme right-wing groups. A court was told he held a “neo-Nazi outlook” and was involved in online discussions advocating violence against LGBT groups, including a chilling message in which he said: “They have been pushing their luck for years, now they will pay in blood.”
Further messages from Edward targeted communists and Jews, and prosecutors argued that he had glorified and spread extremist ideologies, creating a dangerous threat to public safety.
Police and Counter-Terrorism Experts React
Former Police Scotland superintendent and counter-terrorism expert Martin Gallagher praised the police for preventing Edward from carrying out any of his violent plans. Gallagher, speaking to Sky News, pointed out that individuals acting alone can be just as deadly as organized groups, stressing the importance of stopping such threats before they can escalate.
“It’s fortunate that Police Scotland was able to intervene before Edward could act on his threats,” Gallagher said. “He idolized Breivik and had the means and intentions to carry out horrific attacks. We should not underestimate the danger posed by lone actors.”
Human Rights Concerns
Christopher Clannachan from the human rights charity Equality Network expressed concern over the case, calling it “very frightening.” He noted that Scotland and the wider UK have witnessed a rising toxic anti-LGBTI culture in recent years. “Whilst it’s very frightening, I don’t imagine it being entirely unsurprising to many,” Clannachan added.
Legal Outcome
Edward denied the charges but was convicted of multiple offences, including racism, antisemitism, and breach of the peace. In addition to his extremist activities, he was also found to have been growing cannabis in an indoor plantation for sale.
At his sentencing in the High Court in Glasgow, Edward was handed a 15-year extended sentence, with 10 years to be served in prison and five years on licence once released into the community.
Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Alan Edward gloried in being a propagandist for an extremist ideology, which exists for a malign purpose. The offences he committed were deeply disturbing. He will now spend a lengthy period in prison to account for his crimes.”
The COPFS emphasized its commitment to tackling terrorism-related offences and ensuring that those who spread extremist views or prepare for acts of violence are brought to justice.