An 18-year-old teenager from Cwmbran, South Wales, named McKenzie Morgan, has been sentenced to 14 months in jail for planning a copycat attack on a children’s dance school in Southport and expressing intentions to bomb an Oasis concert. Morgan, who can now be named and pictured after turning 18, was found with a document related to terrorism on his phone. He had also mentioned a desire to carry out a violent attack similar to that of Axel Rudakubana, the individual responsible for a tragic incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in 2024.
During the court proceedings at the Old Bailey, it was revealed that Morgan had shared messages on Snapchat praising Rudakubana and discussing plans to make ricin, a deadly toxin. Concerns raised by individuals on Snapchat led to Morgan’s arrest, and he disclosed disturbing plans to hurt others during a psychiatric assessment. Police seized his electronic devices, where they found evidence of his interest in violence and potential attacks.
Despite Morgan’s claims of only seeking to shock others and his denials of serious intentions, evidence pointed to his detailed planning, including mapping out locations to target and researching harmful substances and weaponry. The judge expressed concerns about Morgan’s vulnerability to radicalization and imposed stringent supervision measures upon his release from detention.
In a remorseful statement, Morgan expressed deep regret for his actions and acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. The court recognized his lack of a violent history but emphasized the need for monitoring and support to prevent future risks. The sentencing judge highlighted Morgan’s emulation of previous attackers rather than any specific ideological motive, underlining the importance of addressing his susceptibility to external influences.