Nazi teenager threatened mass shooting at college

A Welsh teenager who threatened to carry out a mass shooting at his college, compiled a nine-page murder manifesto and filmed himself performing Nazi salutes has escaped a custodial sentence after a court heard he was driven by isolation, mental health problems, and substance misuse. Theodore Hopes, 18, from Llandrindod Wells, pleaded guilty at Merthyr…

Newtown College
Newtown College

A Welsh teenager who threatened to carry out a mass shooting at his college, compiled a nine-page murder manifesto and filmed himself performing Nazi salutes has escaped a custodial sentence after a court heard he was driven by isolation, mental health problems, and substance misuse.

Theodore Hopes, 18, from Llandrindod Wells, pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court to making threats to kill. Officers had visited him at his father’s home in December last year following concerns, and when he was arrested he made a remark to police about planning a school shooting at Newtown College, which he attended.

Hitler speeches

His phone was found to contain footage of him watching Adolf Hitler speeches and performing Nazi salutes, an English translation of Mein Kampf, images of Samurai swords, and browsing history covering pipe bombs, mass suicides, school attacks, terrorist incidents, and knife attacks in schools.

Police also found a nine-page document titled “Theo Hopes Mass Murderer”, addressed to political parties, media organisations, and the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, carrying the subheading “Manifesto, the end of Theo Hopes”.

The court heard that the document appeared to have been intended for distribution following the commission of a serious crime and Hopes’ own death.

Dead behind the eyes

A meental health practitioner who assessed Hopes described him as speaking in a calm, cold, and matter-of-fact way and appearing dead behind the eyes.

Sentencing, Recorder Paul Lewis KC described Hopes’ attitudes as misogynistic and far-right, adding that he had developed troubling and potentially dangerous thoughts and ideas, with a fascination with weapons, bombs, school attacks, and Nazi materials.

Hopes was handed a two-year community order with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. His defence argued that the material had been accessed during a period of acute isolation compounded by alcohol and drug use, and that he was remorseful.


Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

Top ten most read