An alleged far-right fitness guru who distributed terrorist manifestos and claimed Adolf Hitler "did nothing wrong" told a court he does not believe in violence.
Kristofer Thomas Kearney used the name Charlie Big Potatoes on Telegram when he shared the manifesto of Norway killer Anders Breivik, but said he did not know it was among the library of literature he posted as he "just gave it a quick scan". A judge will determine whether posts shared by Kearney were "reckless" or if the evidence is consistent with an intent to encourage terrorism.
The self-described British fascist is part of the right-wing group known as Patriotic Alternative. He added the main aim of the organisation was "not to become minorities in our own home".
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The Old Bailey heard the 38-year-old, who is originally from Liverpool, told Telegram users Adolf Hitler "showed people the way" and "did nothing wrong". The defendant, a former soldier in the parachute regiment, regularly featured on right-wing podcasts. He also set up his own channel called Fascist Fitness to hand out exercise and fitness tips.
An image of Kearney with a National Action flag was shown in court, which the defendant said was taken at an anti-grooming gang rally in Darlington. He is said to have been an active member of the neo-Nazi group until a week before it was banned for glorifying the murder of MP Jo Cox.
Kearney was extradited from Spain to face charges last September and pleaded guilty to two offences of disseminating terrorist publications. He is believed to be the first member of Patriotic Alternative to be convicted of terrorist offences.
On Friday, May 5, Ged O'Connor, defending, set out how Kearney was unaware he was posting Breivik's manifesto. Prosecutor Naomi Parsons told the court Kearney's Telegram channel contained themes of "white genocide", antisemitism and the glorification of Nazi Germany. Ms Parsons said: "Those themes are depicted by violence.
"There are numerous videos that suggest violence is looming, violence is inevitable. The evidence is consistent with intent rather than recklessness. It is evident from the defendant himself, the images and words he has said which suggest he is of the mind that violence is inevitable and that others should commit acts of violence."
But Kearney told the court he viewed violence as "counter-productive" - and when questioned if he believes in violence responded "No, other than in self defence, no".
The offences relate to two Telegram posts on January 23 and March 8 2021 which disseminated dozens of documents encouraging extreme right-wing terror attacks, including the manifestos of Christchurch mosque killer Brenton Tarrant and Breivik, who murdered 77 people in Norway. Two other far-right extremist manifestos related to Texas Walmart mass killer Patrick Crusius and John Earnest, who shot people at a Californian synagogue in 2019.
In 2021 he posted a numbered list and links to 89 extreme right-wing documents. It is believed he was "head of fitness" at Patriotic Alternative and regularly shared posts from its accounts such as White Lives Matter banners.
The issue of Kearney’s motivation will be decided on Tuesday before he is sentenced.
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