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White supremacist who wanted to ‘kill as many migrants as possible’ stockpiled petrol bombs and napalm to attack hotel housing asylum seekers, court hears
Prosecutors told Newcastle Crown Court that Mikka Lee Anderson planned a terrorist attack on Hull’s Royal Hotel, which was housing asylum seekers, and wanted to kill as many residents as possible. He denies preparing acts of terrorism and possessing articles for a terrorist purpose; the allegations are being tested at trial.
The court heard Anderson had surveyed the hotel and accumulated around 20 knives, a crossbow, camouflage clothing, a gas mask and materials for making petrol bombs, napalm and smoke bombs. Prosecutors said he also considered targeting an MP, sharia law courts and a local imam, and tried to recruit others. He was arrested in February after a man he met alerted police; the trial is expected to last eight days.
In short
- Anderson denies terrorism charges at trial.
- Prosecutors say he targeted a hotel housing asylum seekers.
- Police were alerted by a man he met.
Explained simply
Asylum seekers are people who have left their country and asked another country for protection; their claims are assessed by the authorities. In the UK, some are housed in hotels while their cases are considered, a practice that has prompted public debate and protests.
Terrorism offences can include preparing an attack or possessing items for a terrorist purpose, even if no attack takes place. The case concerns Mikka Lee Anderson and an alleged plan directed at a hotel in Hull; he denies the charges, which are being examined at trial.