A Surrey man who ran a number of extreme right wing group chats and shared how to make explosives and firearms online has been convicted.

Michael Nugent, 37, of Ashford, has been convicted of terrorism offences after showing people how to deliver bombs as Amazon packages.

According to Met Police, Nugent used different personas in the chat rooms, and expressed his racist views and hatred of ethnic minorities.

But the investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command linked the various online accounts to Nugent’s real-world identity and he was arrested and convicted as a result.

Following his arrest on August 19, 2020, he was interviewed over seven days but gave no comment.

Surrey Comet: Michael Nugent ( Image: Met Police) Michael Nugent ( Image: Met Police)

Nugent was initially charged with 12 Terrorism Act offences and first appeared in court on August 25, where a further six charges were subsequently added.

On May 13, 2021, Nugent pleaded guilty to five counts of dissemination of terrorist publications and 11 counts of possession of a document containing information likely to be useful to a person preparing or committing an act of terrorism.

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of encouraging terrorism, and these charges were ordered to lie on file.

Commander Richard Smith, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Nugent was an active member of internet chat rooms where he freely shared his abhorrent extremist views with others.

“He sought to influence and encourage other members to commit acts of violence, and passed on manuals detailing how to produce deadly weapons and explosive devices.

Surrey Comet:

“However, he was stopped when he was arrested by counter terrorism officers.

"The police investigation unearthed a huge amount of incriminating evidence which forced Nugent to admit to his offences before trial.

“This is another case which shows how harmful online extremism is.

"That is why it is important that anyone who believes that they have a friend or loved one who has been or is vulnerable to radicalisation seeks help."

Nugent is due to be sentenced next month on June 23.

Visit the ACT Early website here to find out how you can seek help and support for anyone who you suspect may be being radicalised.