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A potentially devastating attack inspired by the Southport dance class murders was narrowly averted when a 17-year-old from Kirkby, Merseyside, who idolised violent killers, chose to call the police on himself while locked inside his home. The teenager had amassed a collection of knives and discussed possible targets, including a primary school and an LGBT pride event, but ultimately reached out to emergency services in a rare moment of confession.
On August 6 last year, operators received an unsettling 999 call from the boy, who explained that he felt trapped in his back garden and feared he might have to harm his mother to escape. “I believed I may have to kill my mother to get out of the house which would lead to me ‘doing life and my life’s worth nothing,’” he told the operator. During subsequent investigations, the teenager admitted to possessing materials with terrorist intent, including bomb-making manuals, terrorist training guides, and instructions on producing ricin. While a charge of making threats to kill was recorded, it was ordered to lie on file.
The case took a darker tone with the revelation of the boy’s disturbing mindset and motivations. He had confessed to packing four knives in a backpack, telling the police he thought he could carry out an attack inspired by Jake Davidson, a known attacker. Diagnosed with autism and previously educated in a special school, the boy had become deeply immersed in online incel culture—a misogynistic subculture linked to numerous deadly attacks—and admired infamous killers such as Elliot Rodger and Alek Minassian. He was particularly obsessed with Axel Rudakubana, the Southport attacker who fatally stabbed three schoolgirls on July 29, 2024. The teenager even purchased a green hoodie similar to the one worn by Rudakubana during the attack. In one message, he called Rudakubana “a hero” and described himself as an “Axelcel,” expressing that he felt inspired and understood following the murders.
Further details emerged about his plans to replicate the Southport attack on its anniversary, with the boy traveling to the scene of the crime months before and referring to the number of victims in chilling social media messages. His troubling behaviour had already triggered two referrals to Prevent, the UK government’s counter-extremism programme. The first referral in 2021 was dismissed as stemming from his autism rather than ideological extremism, while a second referral in May 2025 was under assessment at the time of his arrest. Despite his fascination with violence, the teenager showed signs of internal conflict, searching for help and information on how to manage violent thoughts. Sentencing Judge Neil Flewitt KC acknowledged that the 999 call was made “so that the police could stop you.” Rather than imposing custody, the judge opted for a three-year youth rehabilitation order, emphasizing that intensive supervision and support would best protect the public.
Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division, described the case as “deeply concerning,” highlighting the dangers of online radicalisation and stressing that the boy’s age did not excuse his actions. She underscored the necessity of early intervention in such cases to prevent potential harm
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