British boy, 14, who downloaded bombmaking guides avoids jail

A man places flowers at Columbine High school. The boy expressed admiration for the massacre and in one social media post talked about blowing up an orphanage. Photograph: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

A teenager who downloaded guides to making bombs, and is thought to be the youngest person in the UK charged with terrorism offences, has avoided jail after being sentenced to a referral order.

The UK’s chief magistrate, Judge Paul Goldspring, sitting at Newton Aycliffe youth court in County Durham, said that if the 14-year-old boy had been an adult, he would be facing a jail sentence of up to five years.