WESTON-Super-Mare man Gabriel Budasz has been jailed for encouraging right-wing terrorism after making ‘racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic statements’ online, possessing a video of torture – and being in possession of a 3D-printed firearm.

The 24-year-old was sentenced to 12 years behind bars and three years on licence when he appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday (October 24) after being found guilty of encouraging terrorism and espousing extreme right-wing views.

Budasz was arrested following an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), supported by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South West.

He will also be subject to a Part 4 Terrorism Notification Order following his release from prison.

Following a trial at the same court, which concluded on August 8, Gabriel Budasz of Weston was found guilty of:
Four counts of encouraging terrorism contrary to section 1(2) of the Terrorism Act 2006;
One count of dissemination of a terrorist publication contrary to section 2(1) and 2(2)(e) Terrorism Act 2006;
One count of sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety contrary to section 1(1)(b) of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

Budasz had already pleaded guilty during a hearing at the Old Bailey in December 2023 to six counts of possession of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The information included a video and documents discovered during a search of his home in August 2023, which uncovered various items of an extreme right-wing nature, including books, masks and memorabilia, along with a 3D printed firearm, Budasz’s mobile and computer devices.

From examining the devices, officers uncovered that on May 31, 2023, Budasz had sent a video relating to the making of an explosive and an improvised explosive device, electronically on Telegram.

On December 11, 2022, he had sent messages of a grossly offensive nature and had also published statements online which encouraged terrorism.

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Head of CTPSE, Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, said: “Budasz spread hateful content online including racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic statements. He would have known how harmful spreading his extreme right-wing views would be.

“A video he sent online contained step-by-step instructions on how to make a viable bomb with readily available household items and had been extracted by Budasz from a longer video found online showing the mutilation and torture of a person.

“He had also used a 3D printer to print parts of a 3D gun and had been having conversations about how a viable gun could be manufactured.

“Budasz tried to explain away the material he posted online by claiming that it was ‘comedy’. He attempted to hide his true identity with the use of props, including Nazi and other extreme right-wing paraphernalia.

“He did this while he made some of his most harmful and offensive statements; however the jury saw through this defence and instead convicted him of serious terrorism offences.

“The kind of content Budasz made available online stirs up dangerous and extreme right-wing ideologies among those who access it, with all sorts of harm to communities in this country.

“His sentencing will now prevent him from spreading this hate online, and we will continue our work to deal with others who would do the same.”

Anyone who has concerns about someone they know expressing extreme views or hatred should report them to police on 101.