Bexleyheath teenager with copy of Mein Kampf convicted of publishing terrorist material after posting bomb-making instructions

A 19-year-old university student has been jailed for sharing a bomb-making manual online.

Connor Burke, from Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to disseminating a terrorist publication.

He had shared links on a social media platform which contained information on how to create improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

He had been tracked down to his university and when he was identified as a suspect, his home was raided and cops found a copy of Hitler’s autobiography Mein Kampf, plus Nazi memorabilia and other terror-related documents.

Burke also pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of a document likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

He was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 4 February to a total of 42 months’ imprisonment and an additional 12 months on licence.

Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Burke had an unhealthy interest in extreme right wing terrorist ideology, and this led to him sharing extremely dangerous material with others online.

“Increasingly, we’re seeing young people being drawn into extremist ideologies, some of whom – like Burke – then go on to commit serious terrorism offences.

“I would urge anyone who comes across any terrorist-related material online to report this to us. I would also ask friends and family to get in touch if they have concerns about a loved-one being drawn into any form of extreme ideology – ACT early before it’s too late.”

In November 2020, Counter Terrorism officers became aware of a social media account where the user posted a file containing detailed information on how to create IEDs.

From there, detectives set about establishing the real-world identity of the user. Their investigation revealed that he was a student at a London University. The officers contacted the university and after further enquiries, were able to identify Burke as the potential suspect.

Police arrested him at home in February 2021. When they searched his room, officers found various items indicating his extremist mind-set, such as Nazi Germany memorabilia – including daggers, rings and uniform items – as well as a copy of ‘Mein Kampf’. Officers seized his electronic devices and found evidence linking the social media account to Burke. Detectives also identified a further three terrorist-related documents on the devices as well as the manual he had shared on social media.

He pleaded guilty to all the counts at a hearing in July 2021 – but claimed that the dissemination of the bomb-making manual was done on a reckless basis.

But this was disputed by the prosecution and a Newton hearing took place in December 2021.

Following this, the judge rejected Burke’s basis of plea insofar as recklessness; determining that Burke posted the manual in the knowledge it could directly or indirectly be used by others members of the group in which it was posted and assist in the preparation or commission of terrorist acts.

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