Neo-Nazi Terror Cell Who Plotted Attacks on Mosques and Synagogues Jailed for 29 Years
Three neo-Nazis who stockpiled a cache of over 200 weapons and plotted terrorist attacks against mosques and synagogues have been jailed for a total of 29 years.
Brogan Stewart, 25, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, Christopher Ringrose, 34, to 10 years, and Marco Pitzettu, 25, to eight years by a judge at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday. The trio were found guilty in May of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing information useful for terrorism.
The court heard how the group amassed an arsenal including body armour, crossbows, swords, machetes, axes, and hunting knives. They had also advanced to manufacturing firearms, with an almost completed 3D-printed FGC-9 Mk II assault rifle discovered in Ringrose’s loft. Prosecutors stated that while the weapon was missing its barrel and firing pin, the men were actively sourcing the parts. Had they succeeded, the gun could “have been used for devastating consequences.”
From ‘Preppers’ to Race War Plotters
The men initially shared an interest in bushcraft and online videos of “preppers”—people who stockpile supplies for a potential disaster. However, prosecutors revealed this was a facade for their true intent: preparing for a race war.
They used online communities to recruit a like-minded inner circle, progressing to neo-Nazi chat groups before establishing their own private encrypted group. This group, which they named “Einsatz 14,” was infiltrated by an undercover police officer on 5 January last year.
In messages on the Telegram app, the self-appointed leader, Stewart, of Tingley, West Yorkshire, expressed his disillusionment with far-right groups that only “sit around and talk,” stating, “I want to get my own group together because action speaks louder than words.”
He appointed Ringrose, of Cannock, Staffordshire, and Pitzettu, of Mickleover, Derbyshire, as “armourers.” The group discussed acquiring a uniform and identified potential targets, specifically mosques and synagogues.
Chilling Plans for “Human Targets”
The extent of their planning was laid bare in a group call on 5 February last year. They spoke of plans to “cruise around” looking for “human targets” near an Islamic education centre, then return to “mine for tea and medals and a debrief.”
Before this “operation” could proceed, Stewart wanted the members—who had never met in person—to gather on 18 February to “cement that brotherhood.” The meeting never happened. The group was arrested on 20 February after counter-terrorism police raided properties in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire.
During the trial, the jury rejected defence arguments that the men were merely fantasists with no real intention to carry out their threats. Ringrose was also convicted of manufacturing the lower receiver for a 3D firearm, while Pitzettu pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun.
“Filled with Hate”
Sentencing the trio, Mrs Justice Cutts said she believed they all continued to adhere to their extreme right-wing ideology and would remain dangerous upon their release. She noted their beliefs were “laid bare” in a 374-page dossier of their internet activity presented to the court.
The document was described as “filled with hate towards black and other non-white races, especially Muslim people and immigrants, with ideas of white supremacy and racial purity together with a belief that there must soon be a race war.” It also featured the “glorification and admiration of the policies and actions of Hitler and the German Nazi Party.”
While the judge said she did not believe an attack was “imminent,” she concluded it “was likely in the not too distant future.”
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, stated: “They’ve idolised the Nazi party, they’ve glorified mass murders, and they share a hatred of groups such as the Jewish community and the Muslim community. I genuinely believe had we not taken action, this group could’ve carried out a violent attack and the consequences of that attack could’ve been fatal.”
