Joe Metcalfe

Joe Metcalfe, a 17-year-old from Haworth, West Yorkshire, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison with an extended six-year licence period following convictions for serious sexual offences and terrorism-related crimes. The case, heard at Leeds Crown Court, highlighted Metcalfe's involvement in multiple criminal activities, including the rape of a teenage girl during a separate trial.

Metcalfe was found guilty of three counts of rape in a trial separate from his terrorism charges. These offences involved a teenage girl, demonstrating a pattern of violent and exploitative behaviour. The court proceedings revealed the gravity of his actions, which were prosecuted alongside his preparations for a terrorist attack on a mosque in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Although the primary focus of the article was on the terrorism plot, the inclusion of the rape convictions underscores the breadth of his criminal conduct.

In the terrorism aspect of the case, Metcalfe, who was 15 at the time, stole his father's Lexus car to conduct a reconnaissance trip to the mosque, crashing it into a fence. He filmed himself during the journey with Serbian folk music playing, deliberately recreating elements of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks carried out by Brenton Tarrant, whom Metcalfe idolised as a 'hero'. The court heard that Metcalfe was deeply immersed in right-wing ideology, having written a manifesto featuring pictograms with swastikas, SS symbols, and references to notorious killers. He had contacted a gun seller, posted videos of the Christchurch killings on Telegram, and expressed desires to 'bomb a mosque'.

During sentencing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb addressed Metcalfe's claim of converting to Islam, as reported to a probation officer: 'I’m really sorry about what I have done, I’m no longer a threat to anyone. I’m Muslim.' However, the judge expressed scepticism, stating: 'Although everyone has the potential to change I am not convinced there is any yet.' Concerns were raised about his behaviour in custody, including inciting harm against a doctor while on medication for psychosis, though he did not require hospital treatment for a mental disorder.

Metcalfe had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a knife and four counts of disseminating terrorist publications. The Crown Prosecution Service, through Nick Price, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, emphasised the real threat posed: 'Despite his young age his beliefs and willingness to take violent action to propagate them are a threat to our society.' The sentencing reflects the combined severity of the sexual and terrorist offences, ensuring public protection through the extended custodial and licence periods.