‘Anglo Jihadi’ convicted over planned mustard gas attack on UK Jews

British man who converted to Islam plotted to kill local Jews with mustard gas, contemplated suicide bombing of synagogue and shooting and stabbing attacks.

By World Israel News Staff

A British man from Goole, England, was convicted Monday for plotting terrorist attacks targeting local Jews.

Jordan Richardson, 21, was arrested on December 19, 2024, by officers from the Counter Terrorism Policing North East, supported by Humberside Police, following an intelligence-led operation that revealed he was preparing a terrorist attack.

Richardson converted to Islam earlier in 2024, and according to authorities was inspired by terrorist groups including Al Qaeda and ISIS. While awaiting trial, Richardson declared his support for ISIS to a prison officer.

Officers arrested Richardson on his way to work in Howden, East Yorkshire, and conducted a raid of his home shortly thereafter.

During searches at his home, police found a crossbow and 10 crossbow bolts, along with terrorist material on his computer, including internet history demonstrating his “affiliation with extreme Islamist ideology.”

At the time of his arrest, police found notes in Richardson’s backpack detailing plans for his upcoming terror attacks, along with instructions for making mustard gas.

Prosecutor Katherine Robinson told jurors last month that Richardson, who referred to himself online as the “Anglo Jihadi,” “regularly expressed a wish to kill Jews,” and wrote about walking into a synagogue with a suicide bomb vest.

“He suggested going to Palestine to fight Jews and he searched for how to volunteer for Hamas from the UK and how to get to Palestine.”

Robinson said that the mustard gas recipe found in Richardson’s backpack was “assessed as viable and potentially fatal for anyone exposed to it.”

Another note Richardson penned expressed his desire to carry out grenade, shooting, and stabbing attacks, and to die in the process.

“Throw all grenades into crowd; Shoot bystanders; Stab anyone who comes close; Do not get taken alive,” the note read.

After his arrest, Richardson denied planning to actually carry out violent attacks.

“Richardson blamed social media algorithms for the extremist material which was found on his mobile phone, and he told the jury that he was role-playing as an Islamist terrorist online as escapism from the emotional challenges in his life,” said Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley of the Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

“Ultimately, the jury found that Richardson was motivated by extremism and was fully responsible for his actions.”

After being found guilty at the Leeds Crown Court, Richardson is expected to be sentenced on December 15.