THE month-long trial of an Island teenager accused of terrorism offences in 2022 — which included his plans to attack the Isle of Wight Festival — got underway today (Tuesday).

The boy, appearing before a jury at Kingston Crown Court, denies three counts of the dissemination of a terrorist publications, engaging in conduct in the preparation of terrorist acts, and with possession of a bladed article in a public place.

READ MORE: Isle of Wight youth shared videos of beheadings, trial told

The material he is accused of sending included links to extremist videos.

He is also alleged to have researched potential targets to attack, including the Isle of Wight Festival in June 2022, together with weapons, vehicles, stab vests and other items — and obtaining a knife.

After discarding the festival as a target because he did not have a vehicle, the youth is then alleged to have drawn up plans to stab people.

The alleged offences took place in 2022, between June 18 and July 11, the day the 16-year-old, who cannot be named, was arrested.

A few days later, on July 17, he was charged with the preparation of terrorist acts, under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. 

Aged 15 at the time, he was diagnosed with autism and was becoming increasingly more radicalised after he converted to Islam in 2021, said Serena Gates, prosecuting, in her opening statement to the court.

"There is no dispute the videos he sent out concerned terrorist activity, predominantly relating to the group known as Islamic State," Miss Gates said. 

"Parts of the videos contained graphic images of violence and executions."

The teen came to the attention of counter-terrorism police as a result of information being shared with them by the FBI.

The information shared related to concerns that someone in the UK, using a suspicious username on online platform, Discord, had been planning an attack on July 11, 2022, the court was told.

The boy was subsequently arrested in Ryde on that date.

He volunteered having the blade, saying: "I have got a knife in my bag, but it’s got nothing to do with anything."

Also in the bag were several handwritten notes, with one, on a torn-off piece of card, which stated: "Stay away from Muslims, unless you want your throat sliced."

To others he knew, between 2021-22, there were concerns about his increasingly homophobic and extremist views, Miss Gates said.

The case continues.