Three far-right extremists from the UK have been handed lengthy prison sentences after being found guilty of planning terrorist attacks on mosques and synagogues as part of a violent campaign to trigger a so-called “race war.”
The convicted men — Brogan Stewart, 25, Marco Pitzettu, 26, and Christopher Ringrose, 35 — were arrested in February 2024 following an extensive counter-terrorism investigation. Prosecutors said the trio were actively preparing for acts of terror aimed at fueling racial division across Britain.
During their trial at Sheffield Crown Court, prosecutors outlined how the group shared admiration for Adolf Hitler and several convicted terrorists while expressing deep hatred toward non-white communities, particularly Muslims and immigrants.
Terror Plans and Online Extremism
According to the prosecution, the three men operated within an encrypted Telegram group named “Einsatz 14”, where they exchanged hundreds of disturbing messages discussing potential targets, including mosques and synagogues. Among their conversations were shocking remarks about assassinating then–Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and torturing Islamic clerics.
READ MORE: Global Islamic Finance Market Set to Surpass $9.7 Trillion by 2029 – LSEG & ICD Report
They also collected detailed information useful for committing terrorist acts. In addition, Ringrose was convicted of manufacturing a component for a 3D-printed firearm, a move prosecutors said proved their intentions had gone beyond online rhetoric.
Three men who were part of an online extreme right-wing group have today (Wednesday, May 14) been convicted of planning an act of terrorism.
Brogan Stewart, 25, of Tingley, Marco Pitzettu, 25, of Derby, and Christopher Ringrose, 34, from Cannock, were also found guilty of… pic.twitter.com/ZncYtQChpr
— London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) May 14, 2025
Despite pleading not guilty, the jury found all three men guilty of preparing for acts of terrorism and possessing materials related to terrorist activities.
Heavy Sentences Handed Down
Judge Johannah Cutts delivered stern sentences, describing their actions as a serious threat to public safety. Stewart, identified as the ringleader, received 11 years in prison, while Ringrose was sentenced to 10 years and Pitzettu to 8 years.
“These individuals were not simply engaging in fantasy,” the judge remarked. “They took real steps toward preparing for violence against innocent people.”
‘Vile and Dangerous Beliefs’
Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford told the court that the defendants “believed a race war between white people and other races was inevitable” and were intent on accelerating it through acts of terror.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, praised the successful conviction, noting that the trio’s ideology posed an immediate danger to public safety.
“They espoused vile racist views and advocated violence to promote their twisted right-wing beliefs,” Dunkerley said.
“Their defense that it was mere fantasy was proven false — all three took real-world steps to plan and prepare for an attack on innocent citizens.”
The case underscores growing concerns among UK authorities about the rise of violent far-right extremism online, particularly in encrypted chat groups that promote hate-fueled ideologies and terrorism.
