Man jailed for terrorism offences after being caught in Essex

Declan George-Candiani, 26, of Streatham, was stopped at Stansted Airport by counter-terrorism police on August 13, 2024.

After the contents of his phone were analysed, he was arrested and a search of his home was carried out, in which an iPad was seized.

Detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command found documents likely to be useful to someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

These included guides on how to commit "lone wolf" attacks.

During police interviews, George-Candiani said he started to access the material after he developed an interest in an extreme-right wing group advocating “traditional Satanism”.

As a result of the investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, Declan George-Candiani was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday.

George-Candiani was sentenced to 23 months in prison.

He will serve an additional year on licence, and he will also be subject to notification requirements for 10 years.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “This is another example of why ‘schedule 7’ powers at our ports and borders are so important in helping us to identify potential terrorist activity.

“In this case, analysis of digital devices revealed downloads of horrific material promoted by extreme right-wing terrorist groups, as well as extremely dangerous material about carrying out attacks and other acts of extreme violence."