A teenager from Cardiff found in possession of a Nazi dagger and an SS officer's hat has pleaded guilty to belonging to a white supremacy group. Luca Benincasa was also found with far-right literature and instructions on how to make explosives and poisons.
The 19-year-old, from the Whitchurch area, was arrested by officers from the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (Wectu) in February. At his home, members of the unit found a flag depicting the Neo-Nazi group in his bedroom, as well as a facist Italian flag, parts of an SS officer's uniform and a Swastika armband.
Also found were items of camouflage clothing, a tactical vest and masks. Also seized was his laptop with contained banned materials including documents related to extreme right wing propaganda.
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The defendant appeared at Winchester Crown Court, in Hampshire, on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to outlawed group the Feuerkrieg Division. He also pleaded guilty to four counts of collecting information likely to be useful to a terrorist.
The BBC reported that prosecutor Dan Pawson-Pounds said Benincasa "fits into the lower end of a prominent member role as opposed to merely an active member". Judge Jane Miller QC adjourned sentencing until September 20 and remanded the defendant in custody.
Speaking at the time of Benincasa's arrest, detective chief inspector Mark Pope of Wectu said: “At no point was there any danger to the public. We work in close partnership with the public to ensure that we can intervene as early as possible to prevent those vulnerable to radicalisation.
“Cardiff is a safe, vibrant, and engaging city. I urge anyone with concerns about individuals to contact the anti-terror hotline or Crimestoppers in complete confidence.”
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