Alan Edward, a 55-year-old former journalist from Falkirk, Scotland, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a series of offences under terrorism and criminal laws.
His sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 19 December, followed a conviction in September at the High Court in Stirling for racism, antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and breaching the peace. Edward denied all charges.
Prosecutors described Edward’s home as resembling an “armoury.” During a September 2022 search, police discovered an alarming array of weapons, including a crossbow with telescopic sights, 14 knives, a tomahawk, machetes, a Samurai sword, knuckledusters, a catapult, an extendable baton, a stun gun, and an air pistol resembling the Walther PPK made famous by James Bond. Authorities also found an SS-style skull mask and other neo-Nazi paraphernalia.
Edward, who had over 28,000 followers on social media, reportedly idolised notorious neo-Nazi mass murderer Anders Breivik and promoted banned far-right groups online. He had uploaded a video from a National Action rally and disseminated memes and images of a racist, homophobic, and violent nature between December 2017 and September 2022.
In WhatsApp messages, Edward reportedly threatened an LGBTQ+ group in Falkirk, writing: “They have been pushing their luck for years, now they will pay in blood. We should get masked up and go do a few of them in at their little gay club.” He also made threatening statements targeting communists and Jews.
Edward received a 15-year extended sentence, which includes 10 years in prison and five years under licence. He is also subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order for five years post-release and must comply with notification requirements under the Counter-Terrorism Act for 30 years.
Detective Superintendent Stephen Clark, head of counter-terrorism investigations for Police Scotland, emphasised the seriousness of Edward’s actions. “Edward shared extreme racist and homophobic content online with the aim of stirring up hatred and spreading fear and alarm,” Clark said. “His complete disregard for the corrosive impact this could have on our communities heightened these dangerous actions.”
Clark added that Edward’s weaponry posed a “clear and significant risk to the public,” underscoring the importance of his prosecution. He also called on the public to report any suspected terrorist threats to Police Scotland.
