Wilmslow Man Jailed Over Terrorism Documents
Oliver Bel, 22, from Cherry Tree Close, Wilmslow, was locked up for two years at Manchester Crown Court on Friday 21 May 2021. He was found guilty of possessing documents likely to aid terrorism, under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Cambridge Student with Extreme Right-Wing Views
Bel first caught police attention in early 2019 while studying at Cambridge University. Authorities received complaints over his social media posts, which contained anti-Semitic and far-right extremist content.
Police Raid Uncovers ‘Anarchist Cookbook’
On 15 November 2019, police executed a search warrant at Bel’s home following reports of his extremist posts featured in an article by ‘Hope not Hate’, a group fighting racism. Officers seized multiple devices and books, including the notorious Anarchist Cookbook.
The book detailed how to make explosives and deadly knife attacks. Bel was arrested on 19 January 2020 by Counter Terrorism Policing North West officers.
Found Guilty, Given Jail and Licence
Bel denied allegations during police interviews but was charged on 2 April 2020 with possession of terrorist-useful documents. He refused to testify at his April 2021 trial but was still found guilty.
He received a two-year jail term plus one year on licence.
Superintendent Will Chatterton, Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “Although Bel pleaded not guilty, the evidence led to his conviction. This shows our firm resolve to crush dangerous terrorist threats.”
