A conspiracy theorist is facing jail after being found guilty of plotting terror attacks on critical national infrastructure in a bid to 'topple the British government'. Oliver Lewin, 38, planned a series of widespread coordinated attacks which included 'taking out' motorways and firebombing phone, radio and TV masts.
A court heard he wanted to cause mass disruption to the UK’s communication systems and travel infrastructure because he was deeply opposed to the Tory government. The former AV engineer believed the spread of coronavirus had 'triggered the emergence of a Chinese communist system' in Britain.
Lewin also became 'obsessed' with the idea the country was being controlled by 'Jewish elites reporting directly to Israel', jurors were told. So he set about trying to destabilise the government by stirring up a movement of like-minded individuals via the encrypted messaging site Telegram.
He discussed targeting the M1 and M42 motorways and police later found him in possession of an electronic manual entitled: ‘Civilian Resistance Operation Manual’. Undercover officers also discovered he had purchased military-style equipment and he was found with three air rifles and a rifle scope.
The court heard Lewin had planned to target 'media, transport, infrastructure, power, communications, road and rail' as part of his plot. Lewin, of Coalville, Leicestershire., went on trial accused of being engaged in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.
Today he was found guilty of the charge by a jury sitting at Birmingham Crown Court and will be sentenced at a later date. The trial was told Lewin, who previously installed and maintained radio masts, carried out meticulous research online into systems to identify weaknesses of the masts.
He also carried out on site research during reconnaissance missions in his local area and even built a hideout so could hide from police helicopter. One of his plots included damaging a culvert which disrupted water flow underneath the M1 motorway.
He carried out training exercises, taught himself to walk in the dark and how to avoid travelling by road at night. Lewin, who also claimed in Telegram chats he was ex-military, was arrested on August 25 where he claimed he was only a fantasist. But police seized a large number of tools and army surplus combat gear as well as weapon accessories to accompany the three air rifles he owned.
Officers also seized two air rifle and pellets, pistol, BB gun, a walkie talkie and binoculars as well as a packed rucksack to camp overnight. During the trial, Annabel Darlow described Lewin as 'being on a war footing' as he made his preparations between July and August last year.
She said: “Mr Lewin engaged in reconnaissance of potential targets to attack, purchased equipment and tools, dug a hideout and sought other persons to commit and/or assist in committing acts of terrorism. In 2021 Oliver Lewin was deeply opposed to the government of the United Kingdom. Mr Lewin stated in terms that his goal was to topple the British government.
"He believed it was dominated by Jewish elites who took orders from Israel. At the same time he saw the spread of the coronavirus across the world as triggering as what he termed as the emergence of a Chinese communist system. Mr Lewin was also deeply suspicious of the Covid vaccination program. By 2021 he had determined the use of action to achieve his aim of destabilising the government.
“His chosen method of attack was to target communication systems and transport infrastructure. By that method weakening the government and levelling the playing field on the forces that the government would be able to rely upon."
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, said after the case: “In interview, Lewin claimed he was a fantasist. But it is clear he took the steps to carry out reconnaissance of targets to attack, bought equipment and tools, dug hide-outs and tried to recruit and train others.
“He wanted to advance a political cause by damaging property and wiping out media organisations. Extremists use this kind of ideology to create discord, distrust and fear among our communities and we strive to counter this.” Lewin is due to be sentenced on January 20 next year.
