CBRN event in United Kingdom on Sat 31st January 2026

A gym receptionist who branded himself the “Anglo Jihadi” has been jailed for life for planning a bomb and chemical attack on a major shopping centre. Jordan Richardson, 21, a Muslim convert from Howden, East Yorkshire, was convicted after he was caught carrying a recipe for mustard gas in his rucksack. He was arrested on his way to work in nearby Goole on 19 December 2024. Handwritten notes were recovered from his bag, with one reading: “Reach hidden vantage point, apply gas mask, outfit, load crossbow, throw all grenades into crowd, shoot bystanders, stab anyone who come close, do not get taken alive.” A second note contained the ingredients and instructions on how to make mustard gas, a notorious chemical warfare blister agent used in the First World War that can be fatal if inhaled. At Leeds Crown Court, judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb stated: “But for the disruptive action of counter-terrorism police you would have committed that act within weeks.” Jurors had earlier heard how Richardson’s mother had moved away, he had split up with his girlfriend, and he would spend his time in his flat playing on his Xbox and chatting online. When his home was searched, police recovered a combat knife in a sheath, a crossbow purchased from an online store and 11 crossbow bolts. He also had a link to an ISIS bomb-making video used by the Manchester Arena bomber, showing how to make the high explosive TATP. Richardson was found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism by acquiring weapons, researching explosive substances, identifying possible locations, and considering the steps required for an attack. He was also found guilty of three counts of encouraging terrorism and two counts of possessing bomb-making instructions useful for terrorism….