Islamic convert convicted of planning terror attack

An Islamic convert who plotted to attack the Jewish community has been convicted of multiple terrorism offences. 

Jordan Richardson, 21, had written notes which detailed plans for an attack and instructions on how to make mustard gas. 

He was convicted of six terrorism charges at Leeds Crown Court today. 
During the trial the Crown Prosecution Service case detailed how Richardson had developed an extremist mindset, and researched weapons and locations for attacks.  

He had expressed an interest in going abroad to fight ‘jihad’ with people he met online.  

While he held an extreme Islamist mindset and expressed support for ISIL, he also regularly shared violent antisemitic messages and described Jews as ‘the target’.  

Bethan David from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Jordan Richardson was intent on causing violence in the name of his ideology.  

“He researched how to make explosive substances, bragged about doing so, and had credible recipes for creating mustard gas and TATP, which if used would cause mass injury and devastation.  

“Richardson used social media to share content that was designed to spread fear to encourage violence in others.  
“He is a dangerous individual, and his conviction today shows the seriousness of his offending.” 

Building the case: Proving the mindset  

The Crown Prosecution Service was able to show beyond reasonable doubt that Richardson held both a terrorist mindset but also that he had the intent to plan and carry out a terrorist attack. 

We built this case using the mobile and internet evidence created and shared by Richardson, who had used platforms including Instagram and Snapchat to share his terrorist ideology. 

 
Social media messages, internet searches and handwritten notes were presented together to build the picture of how Richardson has meticulously planned his attack.  

We created a timeline showing how over a six-month period Richardson began collecting documents which contained detailed information on how to create explosives. 

He had begun showing an interest in Islam in 2024, which rapidly developed into an obsession with extremism.  
Richardson converted later that year and started discussing his desire to commit Jihad and fight, contacting ISIS fighters in Syria.  

On this foundation we built a case that showed how his commitment to extremism deepened, including notes he wrote expressing a desire to become a teacher so he could radicalise children, and plans to get Saudi citizenship and travel to Syria and Iraq to fight for the Caliphate. 

We consulted with military experts to be able to show the jury that these manuals were not only viable, but if created would cause significant injuries and damage to Richardson’s victims.  

When he was arrested Richardson was carrying a note that he had handwritten which showed his step-by-step plan for an attack, including ‘apply gas mask, throw grenades, fire crossbow and don’t get taken alive.’ 

Combined with the terrorist material reposted by Richardson on his social media accounts and messages he sent including one which read: “Inshallah I pray to be a jihad and to be martyred for Allah”, we were able to prove that he not only held extremist views, but intended to act upon them against members of the public.