Liverpool student plotted to kill dozens in terror attack, jury told

A college student inspired by a US terrorist wanted to launch a bombing campaign intending to kill or injure at least 50 people, a court heard.

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, who sat in the dock wearing a black suit, white shirt and black tie and thick frame black spectacles, wrote a "Manifesto" about his plans and recorded video messages from his bedroom at his mother's home where he lived in Norris Green, Liverpool.

Graham, a former student at Hugh Baird College in Bootle, also blamed the Government for his "unsatisfactory" life, the court heard.

He denies two counts 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.

Annabel Darlow KC, opening the case for the prosecution, told the jury Graham was motivated by a hatred and contempt for the Government, whom he perceived as tyrannical and oppressive of those he termed "working class" people.

She said: "Mr Graham expressed the aim of killing and injuring at least 50 people and said that any more than this number would be 'a blessing."

From May 2022, the defendant began work on a document setting out his plans to prepare for a bombing campaign and would end his violence by carrying out a shooting with an FGC9 MkII, a functioning gun that can be made using a 3D printer, he had access to.

He acquired a large number of instructions needed to construct bombs, firearms and ammunition and sourced and obtained chemicals, a 3D printer and carried out chemical experiments, the court heard.

After he was arrested on May 26 2023 at his home address he shared with his mother, sister and sister's boyfriend, police found a number of chemicals, each of which could be used as ingredients in various explosive mixtures, jurors 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, containing information on the manufacture of deadly weapons and explosives, many of which could be made at home, with basic skills, using materials or ingredients that could be got hold of relatively easily.

Graham had purchased chemicals and other equipment, including fuse wire, and carried out numerous experiments on low explosive devices, some of which he filmed.

And six weeks before his arrest he had packaged chemicals up and gone to woods in Formby, on the coast on Merseyside, and buried them in a secret hide.

Graham, using the name "Destro" or "Destro the Destroyer" was also communicating with like-minded others, on social media, sending numerous manuals and electronic books, giving instructions on weapons, explosives, and poisons, it is alleged.

Ms Darlow said the defendant is not charged with committing an act of terrorism and it is not the prosecution's case before his arrest he was about to commit such an act, or even that he was ready to do so.

And though he had talked about bombing his home city of Liverpool, he had not finalised plans or selected a target, she said.

But Ms Darlow said Graham was preparing to act, or assist others to commit acts of terrorism.

Electronic documents recovered by police included The White Resistance Manual, Expedient Homemade Handgun Ammo and Home-built Claymore Mines - A Blueprint for Survival.

He also distributed to others documents including the Mujahideen Explosives Handbook.

Jurors were shown some of the lengthy 105 home videos, where Graham recorded himself in his bedroom, speaking into the camera.

In one, wearing a black t-shirt, Graham mentions the 7/7 bombings, Afghanistan, the Manchester Arena attack and talks about his own plans, adding, "If people want to call me a justice warrior or a hero - call me that."

Teddy bears are also visible on his bed behind him as he speaks.

Graham claimed he wanted to finish what another terrorist, Theodore Kaczynski, had started.

Kaczynski, who is a "fundamental" influence on Graham, was the "Unabomber" - a North American terrorist who carried out a mail bombing campaign, over many years, killing and injuring a number of his targets.

In one document, titled, My Letter, Graham stated: "If you are reading this, then it means I have succeeded in my plan" detailing his hate and anger for society, and his intention to "attack government buildings, politicians' houses and to commit mass murder.

The trial, expected to last up to six weeks, continues.

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