A Welsh teenager who threatened to carry out a mass shooting at his college, compiled a nine-page murder manifesto and filmed himself performing Nazi salutes has escaped a custodial sentence after a court heard he was driven by isolation, mental health problems, and substance misuse.
Theodore Hopes, 18, from Llandrindod Wells, pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court to making threats to kill. Officers had visited him at his father’s home in December last year following concerns, and when he was arrested he made a remark to police about planning a school shooting at Newtown College, which he attended.
Hitler speeches
His phone was found to contain footage of him watching Adolf Hitler speeches and performing Nazi salutes, an English translation of Mein Kampf, images of Samurai swords, and browsing history covering pipe bombs, mass suicides, school attacks, terrorist incidents, and knife attacks in schools.
Police also found a nine-page document titled “Theo Hopes Mass Murderer”, addressed to political parties, media organisations, and the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, carrying the subheading “Manifesto, the end of Theo Hopes”.
The court heard that the document appeared to have been intended for distribution following the commission of a serious crime and Hopes’ own death.
Dead behind the eyes
A meental health practitioner who assessed Hopes described him as speaking in a calm, cold, and matter-of-fact way and appearing dead behind the eyes.
Sentencing, Recorder Paul Lewis KC described Hopes’ attitudes as misogynistic and far-right, adding that he had developed troubling and potentially dangerous thoughts and ideas, with a fascination with weapons, bombs, school attacks, and Nazi materials.
Hopes was handed a two-year community order with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. His defence argued that the material had been accessed during a period of acute isolation compounded by alcohol and drug use, and that he was remorseful.
