A British teen convert who was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for planning an attack against the Isle of Wight music festival stabbed 10 prison officers since being put behind bars.
A British teenager who converted to Islam and plotted to attack the Isle of Wight music festival has reportedly stabbed 10 prison officers since being incarcerated at Feltham Young Offender Institution.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for seven… pic.twitter.com/R93FwpG0Fi— John Smith (@jjsmith1245) January 5, 2025
The 17-year-old teenager from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed after planning a terrorist attack at the music festival when he was 15 years old.
The boy searched for knives, stab vests, and pickup trucks and researched the event’s security arrangements but later abandoned the plan because he couldn’t find or drive a vehicle. Instead, he decided to slice the throat of a teacher at his special education unit who he believed insulted Islam.
Authorities found a knife in his backpack and notes to his mother and grandmother saying farewell to them and begging them to convert to Islam. British authorities became aware of the teenager as a result of the information shared by the FBI from the instant messaging platform Discord.
“All assaults on staff are taken extremely seriously.”
Clearly not— Clappers (@Clappers2020) January 3, 2025
A court heard the teenager planned to target the event in 2022 after he “adopted an Islamic extremist mindset.” The court also heard that, since his arrest, the teenager has been involved in 18 separate offenses of attacking staff at a detention center and using makeshift weapons.
After he was sentenced, the teen, now locked up in the Feltham Young Offender Institution in West London, has reportedly continued to attack prison staff.
The teenager also reportedly enjoyed a comfortable life behind bars, as he has his own cell with a TV, DVD player, game consoles, desk, and ensuite toilet. Guards also allegedly wear full riot gear when serving him food or when he is let out to shower or exercise, demonstrating possible fear for his continued violent behavior.
Looks like they need to hire competent guards. How is it possible for an inmate to stab 10 different guards?! Seriously. This is gross incompetence. Ffs.
— Brandon Comeau (@ComeauB38) January 5, 2025
In one incident, the teenager sliced off a guard’s ear and attacked another afterward, and he also tried to convert fellow detainees during weekly prayer meetings.
Another particularly concerning incident happened in the reception area on the day he arrived in Feltham, where he asked a correctional officer if he was Muslim. When the guard said no, the teenager stabbed him.
Despite these instances of violent behavior against prison guards and staff, which the Youth Custody Service said “are taken extremely seriously,” there are claims the teenager "is babied and mollycoddled" and "allowed treats from the canteen, and loves Pringles."
During his sentencing in youth custody, Mrs. Justice McGowan said the teenager was an “isolated and troubled young man who looked for the fellowship and comfort of religious faith” and “came to believe it was acceptable to kill those who insulted his faith.”
Aside from planning a terrorist attack, the teenager was also found guilty of spreading ISIS propaganda videos, such as "Ma Vengeance" and "O Disbelievers of the World."
