Falkirk man jailed for terrorism offences

A Falkirk man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail in connection with terrorism and firearms offences.

55-year-old Alan Edward was found guilty of 14 charges, including four under the Terrorism Act.

He was found guilty plotting a terror attack on an LGBT+ group in Falkirk in 2022.

He posted racist, homophobic and violent content online.

Police also seized weapons from his home in Redding.

Judge Fiona Tait told Edward: "The author of the risk assessment on you assesses you at high risk of re-offending.

"For such serious offences there is no appropriate alternative to a prison sentence.

"It is necessary to punish you and deter you and others from engaging in activities for the purposes of terrorism and to protect the public from you."

Detective Superintendent Stephen Clark, Head of Counter Terrorism Investigations at Police Scotland, said: “Edward shared extreme racist and homophobic content online with the aim of stirring up hatred and spreading fear and alarm. His complete disregard for the corrosive impact this could have on our communities heightened these dangerous actions.

“It is entirely unacceptable to promote terrorism or extremism, and this conviction displays how we will not hesitate to investigate online or offline behaviour which breaches terrorism or other criminal legislation.

“Holding an array of weaponry posed a clear and significant risk to the public which underlines the importance of him being brought to justice.

“We are committed to combatting terrorism and help and support from the public is vital. Anyone with information on a terrorist threat should contact Police Scotland on 101 immediately.”