A college student who blamed the government for his “unsatisfactory” life has been jailed for 13 years for committing a series of terrorist offences without leaving the bedroom of his home in Liverpool.
Jacob Graham, 20, a student at Hugh Baird College in Bootle, was convicted last month at Manchester Crown Court of one count of the preparation of terrorist acts, four counts of possession of information for terrorist purposes, and two of dissemination of a terrorist publication, between May 2022 and May 2023.
Between September and December 2022 he wrote an online guide he called a Freedom Encyclopaedia, which he hoped would appeal to “misfits, social nobodies, anarchists, terrorists (future and present) who wants to fight for freedom… against the government.”
The manual—which was inspired by his hero the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski—also explained in detail how to make car bombs, nail bombs, explosives, fuses, and various weapons.
Graham, who was aged 18 or 19 at the time of the offences, told police his “strange hobby” was just “escapism and fantasy.”
His barrister, Frida Hussain, KC, told Monday’s sentencing hearing her client had suffered from the “impact of [COVID-19] lockdown” and added, “At the time he was going through a difficult period in his life.”
Graham, who used the online moniker “Destro the Destroyer,” recorded scores of video messages from his bedroom in the Norris Green area of Liverpool.
He claimed the Conservative government was tyrannical and was oppressing “working class” people.
The jury heard Graham had written a document in which he planned a bombing campaign that would kill at least 50 people.
But the prosecution accepted he had no intention to commit a terrorist act himself. They said he had, however, assisted others he communicated with online.
Giving evidence during the trial, Graham claimed he was “lying” and he was just playing a “character” called Destro.
Ms. Hussain asked him about his contacts with people online, “Were you always speaking the truth to them?”
Graham Said Online Terrorist Advice ‘Boosted Confidence’
Ms. Hussain said: “You see examples all over these comments of people asking you things and you provide it. How did it make you feel?”Graham replied: “I got a sense of enjoyment out of it. It felt good that they could come to me and ask questions. Boosted confidence.”
Jailing him, Mr. Justice Goose said Graham presented as an “ordinary young man, with an interest in fireworks, military, and outdoor pursuits.”
But he added, “In reality, you are a dangerous young man, you described yourself as the first UK homegrown terrorist.”
Graham Posed ‘Significant Risk’ to Public
Mr. Justice Goose said Graham presented a “significant risk” to the public and would do for many years.He ordered that upon his release from prison Graham must notify the police of his address for the next 30 years.
Graham’s mother wept as he was taken down to the cells.
After his arrest on May 26, 2023 police found he had chemicals that could have been used to make explosives.
He also had a 3D printer, which had the potential to be used to print parts of homemade firearms, including a FGC-9 MkII carbine.
The court heard Counter Terrorism Policing North West was alerted to Graham when it was investigating the purchase of chemicals that could have been used to make explosives.
Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks said, “Anyone who promotes dangerous extremist views or content has no place in our society and we will not accept any attempt to incite hatred.”
He said, “Jacob Graham’s actions in consuming and producing extremist literature, and the hatred he displayed, remain deeply disturbing and I am pleased the investigation has secured a lengthy jail sentence.”
