A neo-Nazi teenager who believed Jews were planning the “great replacement” of the white race has been sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution for encouraging acts of terrorism.

Thomas Leech, 19, told police “I am a Nazi” and glorified far-right killers such as Anders Breivik, who murdered 69 young people in a terrorist attack in Norway.

The teenager from Preston pleaded guilty to inciting terrorism against Jews and Muslims and stirring up religious or racial hatred.

He also admitted possessing indecent images of children.

Manchester Crown Court heard how Leech believed conspiracy theories that Jews were responsible for the “Islamification” of Europe and posted online about his belief that the Holocaust was a hoax and that Jews controlled the world.

Prosecutor Joe Allman said Leech first came to police attention when he claimed to be planning a shooting at his school in January 2017.

At the time he told the police it was a “prank” and received a caution. He was referred to the government's deradicalisation programme Prevent but “dropped off the radar” when he moved to Gillingham, Kent, in June 2017.

He was later identified in 2020 by the Community Security Trust, which found posts by him on an online platform.

Judge Alan Conrad QC called Mr Leech’s action as “deeply disturbing”.