Jacob Graham, a 19-year-old U.K. student, was convicted of a myriad of terror offenses by a Manchester Crown Court jury. These include one count of the preparation of terrorist acts, four counts of possession of information for terrorist purposes, and two of dissemination of a terrorist publication.
The offenses occurred between May 2022 and May 2023. Graham, from Norris Green, Liverpool, idolized the American terrorist Theodore “Unabomber” Kaczynski and adopted the moniker “Destro the Destroyer.” He created and disseminated manuals and instructions relating to the creation of weapons, explosives, and poisons from readily available materials.
Graham, a student at Hugh Baird College in Bootle, expressed discontentment with his life, attributing his dissatisfaction to the government. He equated dissatisfaction with what he perceived as governmental oppression of the working class. His arsenal included extensive information for constructing bombs, firearms, and ammunition, chemical components with explosive potential, and a 3D printer capable of producing homemade firearm parts.
The court heard Graham’s claim that his activities were “escapism and fantasy.” Despite his protests, police seized a myriad of potentially weaponizable materials from his home in May 2023. The evidence suggests that while Graham was not poised to commit terrorism, he was prepared to aid others in doing so. The court has ordered Graham to remain in custody until his sentencing on March 18.
