Neo-Nazi found with bombs on train faces years in jail

Published on Wednesday 15 July 2009 19:41

A WHITE supremacist is facing years behind bars after being convicted of terrorism and explosives offences.

Neil Lewington was arrested by chance on a train on his way to strike his first blow in his racist war against the "non-British".

The neo-Nazi, who turned his bedroom into a bomb factory, was also trying to perfect tennis ball bombs that he could throw at the homes of Asians.

He was found guilty at the Old Bailey of having explosives with intent to endanger life and preparing for acts of terrorism.

Lewington, 43, an unemployed electrician who lived with his parents in Reading, Berkshire, had denied all eight charges. He was convicted of seven counts. He was remanded in custody until 8 September. Judge Peter Thornton told him: "The likely outcome is a lengthy sentence of imprisonment."

His conviction comes after counter-terrorism chiefs boosted their resources to monitor a surge in the number of suspected far-right plotters. Teams of officers formed to tackle Islamic extremists found themselves examining neo-Nazi sympathisers.

Lewington, who had an "unhealthy interest" in other racist attackers, such as London nail bomber David Copeland, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski and Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh, was arrested at Lowestoft station in Suffolk on 30 October last year after abusing a female train conductor who challenged him.

He was arrested for a public order offence when the train arrived at the station and his hold-all bag was searched. He and was found to be carrying two firebombs.

A search of his home revealed a notebook entitled "Waffen SS UK members' handbook".