Student who wrote ‘how-to’ guide on weapons and bombs guilty of terror offences
Jacob Graham, whose ‘idol’ was US terrorist Theodore Kaczynski the ‘Unabomber’, will be sentenced next month.
A college student who wrote a “how-to” guide on weapons and bombs dedicated to “misfits” and “social nobodies” has been found guilty terror offences.
Jacob Graham, 19, whose “idol” was US terrorist Theodore Kaczynski the “Unabomber”, also spoke of feeling wronged by his college and going on a “rampage”, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Bespectacled Graham, using the name “Destro the Destroyer”, recorded dozens of video messages from the back bedroom of his mother’s home where he lived in Norris Green, Liverpool, sending numerous manuals and giving instructions on weapons, explosives and poisons.
He was found guilty by a jury on Thursday 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.
Graham was cleared of one count of preparation of terrorist acts, following the five-week trial.
He acquired a large number of instructions needed to construct bombs, firearms and ammunition and sourced and obtained chemicals as well as a 3D printer.
He also carried out chemical experiments, the court heard.
Also found was a 3D printer, which had the potential to be used to print parts of home-made firearms, including the carbine, FGC-9 MKII.
Police also found an “online arsenal” of information on his computer devices, including on the manufacture of deadly weapons and explosives, many of which could be made at home with basic skills and using materials or ingredients that could be gotten hold of relatively easily.
The guide, written between September and December 2022, goes on to explain in detail how to make weapons, explosives, fuses, pipe bombs, gunpowder, nail and car bombs.
The court heard Graham was not about to commit a terror attack but was preparing to act or assist others to commit terrorism.
Graham claimed his activities were merely “escapism and fantasy”.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on March 18.
