News
Teenager who hid bomb-making tips in Minecraft guides put behind bars
Police raided Connor Burke’s home and found a copy of Mein Kampf and Nazi memorabilia
February 7, 2022 14:31
1 min read
Police raided Connor Burke’s home and found a copy of Mein Kampf and Nazi memorabilia
February 7, 2022 14:31A 19 year-old neo-Nazi who shared tips online on how to make a bomb under the guise of guides to the popular video game Minecraft has been put behind bars.
Police raided Connor Burke’s home in February 2021 and found a copy of Mein Kampf in his room as well as Nazi daggers, rings and uniform items.
They also seized his devices and discovered a trove of terrorist material hidden in Minecraft explainers, including the Anarchy Cookbook 2000. One file was named Minecraft_Bow_Ammo_Types.pdf.
The Bexleyheath teen pleaded guilty last year to disseminating a terrorist publication over a manual explaining how to create improvised explosive devices.
He also pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of a document likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
Burke was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court to 42 months’ imprisonment and another 12 months on license.
The defence argued he had shared the manual on a reckless basis - an argument rejected by the prosecution.
The judge found the defendant had posted the material knowing it could directly or indirectly be used by other online users and assist in the preparation or commission of terrorist acts.
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Burke had an unhealthy interest in extreme right wing terrorist ideology, and this led to him sharing extremely dangerous material with others online.
“Increasingly, we’re seeing young people being drawn into extremist ideologies, some of whom – like Burke – then go on to commit serious terrorism offences.”
To report anything suspicious, contact police online or on 0800 789 321 or via the iReportIt app.