BBC News reporter George Torr revealed the distressing case of 16-year-old Rhianan Rudd, who tragically passed away in a children’s home in May 2022. The Chesterfield Coroner’s Court heard the harrowing details of Rhianan’s online grooming by a far-right extremist in the US, leading her to become infatuated with Adolf Hitler and express a desire to “blow up a synagogue” before taking her own life. It was disclosed in court that Rhianan downloaded bomb manuals, guerrilla warfare guides, and material promoting white supremacy and Nazism, prompting her mother to refer her to the Prevent deradicalisation program.
Rhianan’s mother, Emily Carter, recalled how her daughter had a deep passion for horses and cats, as well as a love for cooking and art. However, Rhianan’s fixation on extremist ideologies due to her autism diagnosis had a significant impact on her mental well-being. After being arrested by counter-terrorism officers and investigated by MI5, Rhianan’s life ended tragically at a Nottinghamshire children’s home. The court learned that Rhianan, at the age of 15, faced terror charges – becoming the youngest girl in the UK to do so – before the prosecution ceased.
An email submitted by Rhianan’s mother to Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands (CTPEM) shed light on Rhianan’s disturbing beliefs, including admiration for Hitler and a disdain for certain races and religions. Despite attempts to seek help from Prevent, Rhianan’s fixation escalated, leading to alarming statements about committing acts of violence. MI5’s disclosure revealed that Rhianan engaged with a 23-year-old neo-Nazi from the US, receiving racially-motivated content. The court also listened to accounts detailing Rhianan’s criminal and sexual exploitation online, raising further concerns about her safety and mental state.
While Prevent assessed Rhianan following her mother’s plea for help in September 2020, her case was closed when a criminal investigation commenced the next month. As the inquest continued, questions arose about missed opportunities to intervene and refer Rhianan for appropriate support. The court revealed that charges against Rhianan were ultimately dropped after the Home Office acknowledged her as a victim of exploitation. However, procedural oversights in making the referral to the Home Office highlighted potential gaps in safeguarding mechanisms for vulnerable individuals like Rhianan
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