Boy denies plotting terrorist attack on mosques

A 14-year-old boy has denied plotting a terrorist attack on two south-west London mosques.

The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of planning to target two places of worship in Sutton, with his actions motivated by "extreme right-wing terrorism", prosecutors said.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court where he pleaded not guilty to the preparation of terrorist acts on or before 9 July, and racially aggravated damage to property.

The prosecution alleged the mosque attacks were to take place on 28 August. As part of the terrorist charge, they alleged he planned to target ethnic minorities by slashing tyres and "bricking" in what he called Operation Terrorise Sutton.

Prosecutor Adam Harbinson alleged the teen had put together a manifesto inspired by Adolph Hitler, the Christchurch mosques killer Brenton Tarrant and the neo-nazi Anders Breivik.

The prosecution alleged the boy was arrested after a trial run of the mosque attack, during which it said he smashed the window of a car belonging to a black woman.

The boy was remanded in youth detention until his next court appearance on 21 August at the Old Bailey.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk