West London Man Jailed for Urging Terror Attacks Over Covid-19 Rules
A West London man has been convicted for pushing violent terrorist acts aimed at protesting the government’s Covid-19 handling. Patrick Ruane, 55, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday, 13 September, for two counts of encouragement of terrorism.
Extremist Posts Target Pharma, MPs and 5G
The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command uncovered Ruane’s online campaign on Telegram. Between January and November 2021, he fired off over 370 posts urging attacks on pharmaceutical firms, MPs, police, and 5G masts. Some posts even suggested bombing vaccine labs.
“This wasn’t idle chit-chat online – he was encouraging people to seriously injure or kill others, suggesting who to target,”
said Acting Commander Gareth Rees.
Dangerous Conspiracy Theories Spark Violence
Bethan David, Head of the Counter Terrorism Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, called Ruane “a dangerous man” spreading conspiracy theories to incite violence.
“He posed a credible threat to the peace and safety of the public, and it is only right that he has been found guilty.”
Ruane was arrested in November 2021 at his west London flat, where police seized devices containing his extremist messages. He faced charges in August 2023.
Sentencing Set for November
Ruane was convicted of encouragement of terrorism but cleared of possessing terror-related documents. His sentencing is due at the Old Bailey on 8 November.
The public is urged to stay vigilant. Suspicious activity can be reported at www.gov.uk/act or via the anti-terrorist hotline at 0800 789 321.
