Wigan man accused of encouraging far-right terror

29 April 2019, 15:59 | Updated: 29 April 2019, 16:02

An alleged far-right extremist has been ordered to face trial accused of encouraging terrorism on a Russian social media site similar to Facebook.

Luke Crompton, 29, of Brindle Street, in Tyldesley outside Wigan, is accused of making a series of posts on VK.

It is alleged that at the time of publishing, he "intended members of the public to be directly or indirectly encouraged or otherwise induced to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism".

Crompton was arrested in September last year after police uncovered two profiles on VK which allegedly contained extreme right wing and white supremacist material.

He was charged with two counts of encouraging terrorism on dates between December 2017 and September 2018.

It is alleged the profiles were used to post memes and written status updates on themes including protecting white bloodlines, hatred and expressions of violence towards non-white skin colours, Jews and Muslims.

At a hearing at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Sweeney set a plea hearing for June 17 and a five-day trial on September 9.

The senior judge ordered the case be transferred to Manchester Crown Court and the defendant be granted conditional bail until his next hearing.