Teen ‘planned terror attacks over climate change rage’

Nineteen-year-old plotted to murder 50 people in Unabomber-inspired massacres, court hears

A TEENAGER inspired by the Unabomber plotted a gun and bomb terror campaign after becoming enraged by the “destruction of forests, global warming and climate change”, a court heard.

Jacob Graham, 19, was motivated by a “hatred and contempt” for the Government who “oppressed working-class people” and planned to kill at least 50 in a series of attacks.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Mr Graham planned the atrocities after becoming “tired of living in a society that was deteriorating and destroying itself ”.

Mr Graham, who described himself online as “Destro” or “Destro the Destroyer”, modelled himself on the American terrorist Theodore Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, the court was told.

The teenager denies eight terror charges including the preparation of terrorist acts between May 2022 and May 2023 and the possession and sharing of documents and materials likely to be useful to those committing terrorist acts. The court heard that he had not finalised his plans when he was arrested in May 2023 and had not selected any targets but said his “judgment day” would be within three to five years.

Annabel Darlow KC, for the prosecution, told the court yesterday: “He wished to attack and bring about the downfall of government and society.

“He was anti the concept of government. He expressed the view that he was sick and tired of living in a society that was deteriorating and destroying itself.

“His grievances were motivated both by hatred of the Government and ecological concerns. He points to pollution, destruction of forests, climate change, global warming, famine and the exploitation of natural resources.”

The jury was told that Mr Graham had made 105 videos outlining his plans which he intended to post online as he launched his attack.

He also wrote a document titled “my letter”, which further set out his hatred of the Government and his ideology. The document outlined his intention to “attack government buildings, politicians’ houses and to commit mass murder on those who think it is OK to hide their wrongdoings behind money and power”.

Ms Darlow said that by May 2022 Mr Graham had begun plotting his attacks. “He stated that he intended to start a bombing campaign and would end his bombing spree by carrying out a shooting with a gun that could be made using a 3D printer,” she said.

“Graham expressed the aim of killing and injuring at least 50 people and said that any more would be a blessing.”

Over the next year, the court heard, Mr Graham “worked to try to bring his deadly plans closer to fruition”.

The jury was told that he acquired the information needed to construct bombs, firearms and ammunition, and he also sourced and obtained chemicals and a 3D printer. Ms Darlow said that Mr Graham, a student at Hugh Baird College in Liverpool, was arrested on May 26 last year at his home in Norris Green, Liverpool.

She said police found a number of chemicals, each of which could be used as ingredients in various explosive mixtures. Officers also found a 3D printer, which had been a Christmas present.

Various devices contained a huge number of files containing instructions and information on the manufacture of lethal firearms, ammunition, explosive devices and poisons.

The court heard that Mr Graham bought various chemicals and hid some in a tube which he buried in Formby woods in Merseyside.

Ms Darlow said he wrote a document, titled “Freedom Encyclopaedia”, which was filled with instructions on how to build weapons and nail bombs.

There were lists of explosives, gunpowder, plastic explosive as well as ignition devices and instructions on how the perpetrators might evade the police.

The trial continues.