Youngest Briton ever to face terror attacks charge

A BRITISH boy, aged 14, who is accused of encouraging a man in Australia to carry out a terrorist beheading and attack a war remembrance event has appeared in court.

The teenager from Blackburn – thought to be the youngest person charged with Islamist-related terror offences in the UK – was arrested last weekend in connection with an alleged Anzac Day plot.

He was remanded in custody to youth detention accommodation after Judge Emma Arbuthnot turned down a bail application at Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged yesterday with two counts of inciting terrorism overseas.

Between March 15 and 26 he is said to have incited another person to commit an act of terrorism, “namely to carry out an attack at an Anzac parade in Australia with the aim of killing and/or causing serious injury to people”.

It is also alleged he incited another person to behead a member of the public in Australia.

The boy, dressed in a police-issue grey tracksuit, spoke in a soft voice and stood with his arms folded as he confirmed his name, age and address at the start of the hearing.

He was flanked by two police officers while a family member sat in court for the brief hearing.

Anzac Day was established to mark the anniversary of the start of the World War 1 Gallipoli campaign and ceremonies are held on April 25 each year in memory of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have died in battle.

This year’s events, being held today, take on extra significance as the centenary of the conflict in Turkey is marked. The teenager was arrested on Saturday. On the same day, police in Australia arrested two men on suspicion of planning an attack at an Anzac Day ceremony in Melbourne.

Five people were arrested in the Australian operation.