Three men charged with planning attack on Islamic education centre

Three men have been charged with planning a neo-Nazi attack on an Islamic education centre with a gun made using a 3D printer.

Brogan Stewart and Marco Pitzettu, both 24, and Christopher Ringrose, 33, appeared in court via video link.

No pleas were indicated and they were remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey on 15 March.

The men were arrested on 20 February and are jointly charged with preparing an act of terrorism.

Their homes were searched during the "pre-planned, intelligence-led" operation, Counter Terrorism Policing North East added.

It is alleged that Mr Stewart, from Leeds, Mr Pitzettu, from Derby, and Mr Ringrose, from Cannock, Staffordshire, prepared for an attack by acquiring instructions on making a 3D-printed firearm.

It is alleged they manufactured an FGC-9 semi-automatic firearm and identified potential targets for attack.

Prosecutor Mark Luckett told Westminster Magistrates' Court that, earlier this month, the defendants discussed a plan to attack an Islamic Education Centre in Leeds as well as human targets they described as "victims".

The defendants were allegedly active in a group on the Telegram chat application that was used to provide advice on military training and weaponry with the aim of preparing terrorist acts.

The court heard that, during searches of the defendants' homes last week, detectives recovered a 3D printer, a 3D-printed FGC-9 semi-automatic firearm, various decommissioned firearms, knives, and Nazi memorabilia.

It is understood that Mr Stewart is a former military cadet.

A 46-year-old man from Leicester was also arrested as part of the investigation and was released without charge.