Man jailed for more than six years over plans to attack communication masts and roads

A Leicestershire man has been jailed after being found guilty of planning to attack phone, radio and TV masts and damage the road network.

He was sentenced to six and a half years after he planned to mount widespread coordinated attacks over a number of months including recruiting others to help his plan because of a mistrust of authority.

The man, who previously worked as an AV engineer installing and maintaining radio masts, carried out meticulous research online into systems to identify weaknesses of the masts. He also carried out on site research during reconnaissance missions in his local area.

In August 2021, he built a hideout so he could hide from a police helicopter and planned to damage a culvert which disrupted water flow underneath the M1 motorway. He carried out training exercises, taught himself to walk in the dark and how to avoid travelling by road at night.

He was arrested on 25 August, supported by Leicestershire's Specialist Support Firearms team and Counter Terrorism East Midlands, for preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

Following his arrest, police seized a large amount of tools and army surplus combat gear as well as weapon accessories to accompany the three air rifles he owned.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, said: “In interview, he claimed he was a fantasist but it is clear he took the steps to carry out reconnaissance of targets to attack, bought equipment and tools, dug hide-outs and tried to recruit and train others."

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