Hertfordshire teen denies encouraging others to 'join local Nazis'

Joseph Cope, who's 18 and from Borehamwood has appeared at the Old Bailey

Lady statue of Lady Justice atop the Old Bailey Statue, London, UK
Author: Emily Pennink, PA Old Bailey CorrespondentPublished 5th Jan 2024
Last updated 5th Jan 2024

A teenager has denied a string of terrorism charges including allegedly encouraging people to "join your local Nazis".

Joseph Cope, 18, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was arrested in June 2022.

At the Old Bailey on Friday, he pleaded not guilty to four counts of encouraging terrorism in January 2022.

He also denied two charges of disseminating terrorism publications on a Telegram channel and possessing a copy of the White Resistance Manual.

According to the particulars of the offences, he allegedly published an image with the words "join your local Nazis" and "free St Breivik", in apparent reference to the far right terrorist Anders Breivik.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC confirmed a three-week trial would take place at the Old Bailey from June 24.

A further hearing was set for April 26 and the defendant was granted continued conditional bail.

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