‘Nazi’ accused of planning terror attacks discussed torturing imam, jury told

One of three “Nazis” accused of planning terrorist attacks discussed torturing a Muslim leader using his “information extraction kit” with an undercover officer, a jury had been told.

Prosecutors have told Sheffield Crown Court that Christopher Ringrose, from Cannock, 34, Marco Pitzettu, 25, and Brogan Stewart, 25, were “right-wing extremists” who were preparing to use firearms, explosives and a range of bladed weapons in attacks on mosques and synagogues when they were arrested in February 2024.

On Thursday, Jonathan Sandiford KC, prosecuting, told the court how Stewart discussed his thinking with an undercover officer he called Blackheart on the Telegram platform.

A month before he was arrested, Stewart told Blackheart they needed to establish a “new einsatzgruppe”, which was a reference to Adolf Hitler’s notorious SS death squad, Mr Sandiford said.

Stewart told the officer: “I can’t wait to hang me a paki… Hate them bro… they’re a cancer that needs stamping out… F****** everywhere mate.

“Place is crawling with them… We need to establish a new einsatzgruppe to deal with it… it’s the only way to secure the future of the white race.”

Stewart later told Blackheart: “Open warfare will be exceedingly hard. I suppose if target people of import first. Such as local imams who will probably be giving orders to foot soldiers.”

The defendant explained to the officer how he had a “information extraction kit”, which included a blow torch, pliers, gaffer tape, a screwdriver, bleach and a syringe.

According to the prosecutor, Stewart said: “A couple of hours working on him will have the c*** singing out anything we want him to”.

And he added that nothing “loosened up” people “like seeing a syringe filled with bleach”.

Mr Staniford explained how Stewart set up a group called Einsatz 14 with him as “Fuhrer” and Blackheart as the “Obergruppenfuhrer”, which the other two defendants also joined.

He said that when Blackheart asked him about the group’s ideology, Stewart replied: “Personally, I’ve taken inspiration from the SS”, and added: “I also hope that we can extort political rivals and potentially plan operations to meet migrants landing on our beaches and deal with them.

“As the race war comes to unfold I’d expect members to stand by, wait for orders and deploy to combat our…”

Stewart sent a list of 'standard uniform' including a Swasticka armband

The court heard that Stewart sent the officer a list of “standard uniform” for Einsatz 14 which included a Black SS helmet, “mask, balaclava, skull face mask or anything to hide identity” as well as a Swastika armband, although the defendant said this was “Not a given. It must be earned”.

Mr Sandiford said potential recruits were sent a vetting form with questions such as: “What is your opinion on the historic paramilitary force, the SS?” and “Out of so many different options, who would you say you hold most of your hatred for – kikes, n******, shitskins, fags etc and why”.

Stewart asked Ringrose to join the group, asking him: “This is a militant unit. Are you willing to fight for your race?”

Mr Sandiford said Ringrose replied with a GIF saying: “That’s why I’m here.”

Ringrose’s completed vetting form confirmed that he hated “Shitskin c**** coming on dingys” and “Jews because they run everything and manipulate the masses”, the prosecutor told the jury.

Pitzettu’s form said that the “SS were proud men who believed in their country” and that he “had a location filled with weaponry”.

Mr Sandiford said three of the seven members of Einsatz 14 were undercover officers.

He told the court that Stewart developed a mission statement for the group which said its “basic duties” included to “target mosques, Islamic education centres and other similar locations”.

'Discussed potential targets'

Mr Sandiford told the jury the group discussed potential targets at the end of January 2024.

He told the court Stewart sent Blackheart details of the Islamic Education Centre on Mexborough Road in Leeds, including a Google Maps image.

The officer asked Stewart for more detailed information about the plan and he replied that they could smash windows or ambush someone, the court heard.

According to Mr Sandiford, Stewart said: “It depends how far we are willing to go. It could be a beating with batons and bats or something more serious.”

The jury has heard how the trio were arrested in February 2024 after security services believed they were gathering or trying to gather weapons for an imminent attack.

Mr Sandiford has also told them that Ringrose had begun to build a 3D printed semi-automatic firearm and was trying to acquire the remaining parts.

He told the court on Wednesday that “these three defendants were right-wing extremists who regarded themselves as National Socialists, or Nazis”.

Ringrose, of Cannock, Staffordshire; Pitzettu, of Mickleover, Derbyshire; and Stewart, of Tingley, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, deny a charge of preparing acts of terrorism and charges of collecting information likely to be useful to a person preparing or committing an act of terrorism.

Ringrose also denies manufacturing a prohibited weapon.