Right-wing extremist, 22, convicted after encouraging terrorism on Telegram

A right-wing extremist who shared racist and anti-Semitic content online and encouraged others to commit terrorism has been convicted.

Following an intelligence-led operation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), officers arrested Nicholas Gilpin, of Farnham Common, on October 18, 2021, and seized electronic devices from a property in the Hereford area.

Police charged the 22-year-old, of Dippingwell Court, in January 2023 with four counts of possessing terrorist information, encouragement of terrorism and two counts of stirring up racial hatred.

During a four-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, jurors heard how an examination of Gilpin’s devices had revealed several documents containing racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

The documents also contained instructions on how to kill people with close combat weapons, details on how to use weapons and make explosives, chemical weapons and firearms, along with instructions on how to commit other illegal activities. 

Gilpin was also found to have distributed videos and written material on the Telegram messaging app, which was intended to stir up racial hatred or was likely to do so.

The 22-year-old shared his racist, anti-Semitic and white supremacist views with others and published a statement on the same online app to encourage terrorism on March 16, 2021.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East, Detective Chief Superintendent Claire Finlay, said: “Gilpin had in his possession terrorist documents which outlined how to cause untold harm to those in society who he determined did not fit in with his mindset, and he actively encouraged others to commit acts of terrorism.  

“We have recently had sobering reminders of the danger that individuals such as Gilpin pose, who seek to divide our society.

“By sharing racist and anti-Semitic content online, Gilpin knew this would be likely to stir up racial hatred and to further the extreme right-wing ideology he espoused among others.”  

Gilpin will be sentenced at the same court on a date to be determined.