Former counter-terrorism chief not surprised Britain's youngest terrorist can be freed
19 January 2021, 14:33
Ex-counter-terrorism chief 'not particularly' surprised Britain's youngest terrorist can be freed
An ex-counter-terrorism coordinator has told LBC he was "not particularly" surprised by the Parole Board allowing the youngest person convicted of a terrorism offence in the UK to be freed from prison.
The now 20-year-old from Blackburn, who plotted to murder police officers at the age of 14, will be released five years into a life sentence.
The 20-year-old, who may only be identified as RXG, sent encrypted messages inciting an Australian to launch attacks in 2015.
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After saying he was "not particularly" surprised by the decision, Detective Chief Superintendent in Counter Terrorism Policing Nick Aldworth also said: "There will be very few children, if any others, I think in custody for terrorist-related matters.
"Therefore this individual is probably not moving inside a prison population where their radicalisation can continue or be made worse.
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"And one would hope that they would have had much more energy and expertise [put] into de-radicalising them that isn't necessarily available to adult prisoners."
Speaking of the UK criminal age of responsibility, which stands at 10-year-olds, Mr Aldworth said: "There are a few, dare I say, despot countries that are actually a bit lower than ours."
