Walsall far right extremist convicted of terror offences

Vaughn Dolphin said minorities "should be shot"

Vaughn Dolphin, making a white supremacist gesture
Author: Ella Stirling and Richard Vernalls PAPublished 28th Apr 2023
Last updated 28th Apr 2023

A far right extremist from Aldridge, Walsall who blew up his own kitchen experimenting with explosives has been convicted of terrorism offences.

Dolphin, who glorified Hitler's feared Second World War organisation the SS, had also built a crude but "viable" gun in his garden shed, jurors heard.

He was an avid poster on extremist chat messaging groups, bragging about his exploits to others.

In a series of selfie videos, he also shared the aftermath of his bungling and highly risky actions from his house in Walsall Wood Road - footage which helped incriminate him.

He also said minorities "should be shot."

When arrested, on June 27 2022, the defendant told police: "I'm not a terrorist, okay?"

However, at his home, officers uncovered a treasure trove of how-to guides on how to build a shotgun and homemade plastic explosives, and how to conduct arson attacks.

The 20-year-old was convicted of two charges of possessing explosives a Birmingham Crown Court today (28th) following a trial.

He was also found guilty of six counts of having documents likely to be of use to terrorists, and two charges of disseminating a terrorist publication.

Dolphin was further convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm - the crude musket barrel.

Speaking after the conviction, the Police described how he had a "dangerous mindset" and was "intent on causing harm."

Chief Superintendent Mark Payne said: "Vaughn Dolphin was a young man who sought out online extremist conversations and engaged in chat boards.

"He then went from that to acquiring explosive material and ingredients.

"He sought out and acquired information on how to manufacture firearms - and then made a viable firearm.

"He shared footage of other terrorist incidents (from) around the world to other people.

"So this was clearly a young man with a really dangerous mindset who sought and acquired access to material that would have caused harm to other people.

"I've got no doubt at all that his intent was to cause harm."

Mr Payne said work was continuing in preventing the radicalisation of people like Dolphin in the first place, and said people with any concerns about an individual should report those online at act.campaign.gov.uk, the Action Counters Terrorism website.

Hear all the latest news from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk on the hour, every hour, at Forth 1. Listen on FM, via our Radio Forth app, on your DAB radio, online at Forth1.com, or say ‘Play Forth 1’ on your Smart Speaker.