Neo-Nazi Alfie Coleman Convicted After MI5 Undercover Sting

A 21-year-old worker from Great Notley, Essex, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on 30 April 2026 of preparing terrorist acts. Prosecutors presented a manifesto in which Coleman listed colleagues as “race traitors” and named the lord mayor of London and a mosque among targets. The document described explosives, knives, crossbows and aircraft hijacking. He pleaded guilty to possessing ten weapon-related documents but denied planning an attack.

The Guardian

Coleman accessed neo-Nazi material at 14, downloading texts and joining far-right forums. In July 2021 he emailed Patriotic Alternative, writing “I would like to start participating in activism.” By summer 2023 his activity grew, and in early Sep he tried to buy a Škorpion automatic, an AK-47 and ammunition in France before abandoning the scheme.

The Guardian

• Age 14 (c. 2012): First exposure to neo-Nazi content online.

The Guardian

• July 2021–Summer 2023: Email to Patriotic Alternative and heightened forum activity.

The Guardian

• 29 Sept 2023: MI5 sting; Coleman (19) bought a Makarov pistol, magazines and 200 rounds for £3,500.

The Guardian

• 30 Apr 2026: Conviction; sentencing set for 8 July 2026.

The Guardian

Coleman was 21 at conviction, 19 at the sting. He paid £3,500 for a Makarov pistol, magazines and 200 rounds; £2,500 savings were later found. Ten weapon-related documents were seized. Police say one in five counter-terrorism cases involve a child.

The Guardian

Police officer warned that “younger and younger individuals” are being radicalised online and noted that “one in five” cases involve a child. Prosecutor Nicholas De La Poer KC described Coleman as “seething with hatred” and highlighted extremist items at his home, including a swastika-adorned rock and a black-sun flag. The MI5 operation was called “highly sophisticated,” with officers confronting Coleman in the car park.

The Guardian

Coleman admitted seeking a firearm and ammunition but denied preparing a terrorist attack. Prosecutors presented evidence of plans to hijack a plane and target the lord mayor’s home. Court received no proof that any attack had moved beyond the planning stage.

The Guardian

• “Unfortunately, we are seeing younger and younger individuals getting radicalised online,” — Senior Police Officer, UK Counter-Terrorism

The Guardian

• “Now one in five people that we deal with in counter-terrorism is a child.” — Senior Police Officer, UK Counter-Terrorism

The Guardian

• “Alfie was 14 when he first started to look at content online and we had concerns about his behaviour.” — Senior Police Officer, UK Counter-Terrorism

The Guardian

• “would like to start participating in activism” — Alfie Coleman, email to Patriotic Alternative

The Guardian

The case highlights how online platforms can accelerate extremist recruitment among youths and the reliance on covert operations to block weapon acquisition. Coleman remains detained, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for 8 July 2026.

The Guardian