Somerset man who admitted terror offence given community order
Ryan Scuffil from Norton Fitzwarren admitted posting on social media in support of Islamic State
A man from Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton has been handed a three-year community order after admitting sharing material online, in support of Islamic State.
Ryan Scuffil (28) was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in London on Monday (21st October), following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South West (CTPSW).
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to an offense under Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006, when appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in May.
Scuffil was found to have used social media under a fake name to post things in support of Islamic State, including statements glorifying acts of terrorism and graphic images, over an 11 month period from September 2022.
His home was searched by counter terror officers and Avon and Somerset Police in August 2023, with electronic devices seized and examined.
He will now serve a three-year community order including a rehabilitation requirement and will have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Head of CTPSW Detective Superintendent Sarah Robbins said: “We’d like to reassure people that during the course of enquiries there was no evidence at all that Scuffil was considering or planning any sort of activity that would have directly endangered public safety.
“The items found on his devices though clearly showed a mindset and willingness to disseminate propaganda material supportive of Islamic State and he had set up a social media profile under another name to carry that out.
“A dedicated team from across the CTPSW region worked together to obtain all the evidence that was required to secure this conviction, alongside Avon and Somerset Police colleagues.
“Such offences are rare, but where they do occur we will fully investigate and seek to bring the offender to justice.”
If you’ve seen or heard something that does not seem right, you can report it online via this link, or by phoning the Anti-Terrorist Hotline confidentially on 0800 789 321.
In Scuffil's case the court heard he had no previous convictions and he received credit for his early guilty plea.