Summary
Paul Martin, a resident of south London, has received a three-year and three-month prison sentence. He was found guilty of encouraging terrorism by urging people to commit acts of violence during the pandemic. The court heard that Martin used an online chat group to call for attacks on UK infrastructure and shared messages denying the existence of Covid-19.
Key Facts
- Paul Martin is from south London and is 60 years old.
- He was active in a Telegram group named The Resistance UK.
- Martin encouraged violent attacks on infrastructure during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- He was found guilty of encouraging terrorism but not of gathering weapons for terrorist purposes.
- Weapons found in his home included crossbows and pistols.
- Martin denied wanting to carry out violent acts, claiming his messages were just talking.
- He pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun but denied terrorism charges.
- The judge described his actions as highly reckless and his language as strongly negative.
