Terror plot accused 'struggled to make friends'
PA MediaA teenage boy accused of plotting a terror attack on local synagogues has told a court how he suffered bullying at secondary school, felt lonely at times and struggled to find friends.
Leeds Crown Court heard police found an "arsenal" of weapons, including a crossbow, knives and a gas-powered air pistol when officers raided his home in Northumberland last February.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified, told jurors he was interested in history, the military and the outdoors.
He denies preparing acts of terrorism, being a member of a proscribed organisation, possessing terror documents and publishing terror publications.
The jury were shown images of the boy's bedroom in which counter-terror police found a replica Nazi Schutzstaffel (SS)-style cap, a full-sized skeleton with a mask and posters relating to the proscribed terror group The Base.
Giving evidence, the boy became upset at times when questioned about his childhood by Frida Hussain KC, defending.
PA MediaThe defendant said he had interests in "history, the military, weapons and wars, gaming and the outdoors in general".
Hussain asked: "What aspects of weapons and war were you interested in?"
He replied: "How they actually work. The history of their use.
"With wars it was why they were being fought, who was fighting them and why."
The boy told the court how he was interested in bushcraft and possessed knives for whittling wood.
He also said he had put together chemicals with the aim of making a rocket-type firework, but had not completed it.
He told the court how racist and gore videos were shared on Snapchat with pupils at his school and when asked if he joined in using racist terms with them online, he said: "Not because I had those views.
"I knew it was bad, I tried to ignore it."
He agreed with Hussain that he tried to fit in with others, saying: "I feel like I act different to other people."
Previously, Hussain has told jurors the boy denied "he ever actually intended to carry out any act of terrorism" and they needed to consider his life experience.
The trial continues.
