Prosecutors allege that Gabrielle Friel, 22, was in possession of a crossbow, 15 crossbow bolts, a machete and a ballistic vest in the Capital last summer.

A jury at the High Court in Edinburgh today heard how Friel allegedly searched the internet in relation to ‘spree killing mass murderers.’

Prosecutors also claim Friel researched ‘in particular spree killing mass murders committed by individuals expressing motivation or affiliation with Incels’ - the jury heard how this was an expression for ‘involuntary celibates’.

Friel is said to have assembled a crossbow at his home in Edinburgh and prosecutors claim these actions breached section five (1) (a) of the 2006 Terrorism Act.

The claims are contained in the second charge of a four charge indictment which were read to jurors on the first day of proceedings against Friel.

Friel, of Comely Bank Road in Edinburgh, denies two charges of breaching the Terrorism Act and two charges of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.

The first charge alleges that between June 1, 2019 and August 16, 2019, at various locations in Edinburgh, Mr Friel possessed a crossbow, a scope, 15 crossbow bolts, a machete and a ballistic vest.

The locations named in the charge include his home in Comely Bank Road, Grindlay Court Community Justice Social Work in Edinburgh and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

In this charge, prosecutors claim that this gave rise “to reasonable suspicion” that his possession was “for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of act of terrorism”.

Prosecutors say he purchased a crossbow, a scope, crossbow arrows, a machete and a ballistic vest and that he stored them at his home address.

Edinburgh College incident

The court also heard that former Edinburgh College student Friel told a classmate in November 2017 that he was going to hold someone hostage in the cafeteria there.

Jordan Wilson said that, on November 6, before classes started, he received a message from Friel through Facebook which he later told police had said: “I don’t think you should come to college.”

He told officers he received a further message telling him: “Because there will be an attack at the college.”

He told the court that he saw Friel outside the college carrying his backpack and asked for an explanation for the messages.

"He replied he had been bullied online, I think, and he was going to hold someone hostage in the cafeteria that day," said Mr Wilson.

"He showed me a kitchen knife he had in his bag," said the office worker.

Mr Wilson later told police that Friel said he was planning to attack the cafeteria with a knife he had brought.

Mr Wilson said he panicked and did not know how to react. Friel went to a toilet and he walked out the doors of the college and saw a classmate before returning to the building and police were contacted.

Friel has pleaded not guilty to the charges he is facing at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The trial, before Judge Lord Beckett, continues.

Gabrielle Friel: Man goes on trial in Edinburgh accused of planning terror attacks motivated by ‘Incels’