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A 17-year-old in Wales has been accused of plotting a knife attack at Oasis’ first reunion concert this month.
Per The Times, the suspect was planning on launching an attack at Oasis’ July 4th concert in Cardiff similar to the Southport attacks in 2024, where 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana went on a stabbing spree and killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The teenager (who is unnamed due to his age) reportedly told a counsellor that he intended to carry out a “Rudakubana-style attack,” and allegedly informed his friends of the plot as well. Prosecutors claimed that he had searched for instructions on procuring a large knife online, and allegedly sent a photo of one to a friend to ask “Would this work?” The teenager had also saved a note on his phone with “places to attack,” with the Oasis gig, a dance class, and his own school among the listed locations.
Beyond mentioning the desire to mimic Southport attacks to his counsellor, the teenager had allegedly researched Rudakubana and saved images of him; he had also allegedly sent Snapchats mocking the Southport victims, praising Rudakubana, and expressing the desire to carry out a similar attack. Authorities found that he had downloaded the same al-Qaeda training manual that Rudakubana had.
The teenager’s actions were first reported to the authorities by his parents, which then led to his visit with a counsellor; meanwhile, someone he was Snapchatting with had reported his comments to the police, while a second police report was filed promptly after his counsellor visit.
Though there is plenty of evidence against him, prosecutors are unable to bring any charges against him of planning to carry out a terrorist attack, as the Terrorism Act 2000 dictates that to be charged with terrorism, “the use or threat of violence must be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.” The Times also notes that planning attacks at schools, misogynistic or incel-motivated attacks, or those motivated by nihilism are not considered terrorist offenses, meaning the suspect cannot be charged with preparing an attack.
He was, however, charged with possessing a document useful for terrorism (the al-Queda training manual). The suspect has admitted to these charges; Rudakubana had received an additional 18-month sentence for admitting to the same charge in his trial. A sentencing date for the unnamed suspect has yet to be announced.
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