The making of a schoolgirl terrorist: How teenager was groomed by neo-Nazis into denying the Holocaust and fawning over Adolf Hitler during lockdown – before killing herself after being charged with terror offences
A Daily Mail investigation examines the case of Rhianan Rudd, a British schoolgirl who was groomed online by neo-Nazi extremists during the Covid-19 lockdown. The teenager was drawn into far-right ideology, coming to deny the Holocaust and express admiration for Adolf Hitler, before being charged with terrorism offences. She later took her own life before the case against her could be concluded, raising questions about how authorities handled a vulnerable minor who was both a victim of grooming and a criminal suspect.
The piece traces how online radicalisation took hold during a period of lockdown isolation, when young people spent long hours unsupervised online, making them susceptible to extremist recruiters. It highlights the tension between treating Rudd as a victim of exploitation and as a perpetrator facing terror charges, and examines the safeguarding and legal failures that preceded her death.
- Schoolgirl groomed online by neo-Nazis during lockdown, denied Holocaust
- She was charged with terrorism offences as a teenager
- Rudd killed herself before her case was resolved
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A troubled minor systematically groomed by predatory adults should have been treated primarily as a victim requiring intervention and rehabilitation rather than as a criminal perpetrator. The evidence shows she was exploited during a period of particular vulnerability, making her susceptible to manipulation by adults deliberately targeting her developmental stage. Pursuing her through terrorism legislation appeared to address her extremist statements but ignored her status as an exploitation victim and likely intensified her trauma rather than enabling recovery. A safeguarding-focused approach emphasising counselling, family support and deprogramming would have addressed the root causes of radicalisation and may have prevented this tragedy.
The case against
Extremist activity and the promotion of terrorism represent genuine criminal conduct that law enforcement must investigate seriously regardless of the perpetrator's age. Whilst acknowledging she was groomed, the fact remains that she actively adopted and propagated dangerous ideology; treating this solely as a safeguarding matter risks leaving recruitment networks unchecked to endanger other vulnerable young people. Young people retain agency and responsibility for their choices, even when influenced by bad actors, and accountability proportionate to conduct matters. Law enforcement and safeguarding need not be opposed—both are essential, and serious investigation of extremist activity combined with appropriate support for affected young people serves public safety and rehabilitation simultaneously.