Teen's Alarming Messages: A Brush with Radicalization

An 18-year-old from Wales was sentenced for possessing an al Qaeda manual after planning attacks at events, including an Oasis concert, and admiring a previous murderer's actions. Diagnosed with autism, he is vulnerable to radicalization but claimed intent of shocking others rather than actual violence.

A British teenager, McKenzie Morgan, has been sentenced to 14 months in a young offenders' institution for possessing an al Qaeda manual. Morgan, 18, had praised a killer and discussed attacks on events like an Oasis reunion concert.

During his sentencing at London's Old Bailey court, it was revealed that Morgan had been planning a "Rudakubana-style" terrorist attack and expressed intentions to bomb events. He had twice attempted to buy a knife and conducted online searches for possible targets, adding their names to a 'places to attack' list.

Morgan, diagnosed with autism, was found to be vulnerable to online grooming or radicalization. Despite his guilty plea, Morgan claimed he had no real intention to harm and aimed only to shock others. The court noted these factors in his sentencing.

(With inputs from agencies.)