On 10 November 2023 Joe Metcalfe was sentenced to an extended sentence of 14 years 32 months and 4 days in relation to terrorism offences, rape and other offences.
The sentencing hearing followed three trials involving the defendant.
In the Spring of this year, over a number of weeks Nicholas de la Poer KC and Matthew Donkin prosecuted the defendant for an offence of preparing for terrorists acts. The allegation was that the defendant planned to carry out a terrorist act at mosques in Keighley which involved the killing of many worshippers. Over many months the defendant immersed himself in extreme right-wing ideology, researched clothing and equipment for his attack, tried to obtain firearms, and carried out hostile reconnaissance of a mosque. The defendant was found guilty by the jury.
In the summer of this year Nick prosecuted the defendant for offences of rape and coercive and controlling behaviour in the Youth Court. The defendant was convicted of five occasions of rape and of the coercive and controlling behaviour. He appealed to the Crown Court.
In the early autumn of this year Nick prosecuted the defendant in relation to the Youth Court matters in the Appeal to the Crown Court. The defendant was again convicted.
There were a number of significant features to the case:
Passing sentence, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb found the defendant to poses a significant risk of committing further serious offences.
Nick and Matthew were instructed by Birgitte Hagem and Lee Ingham of the CPS Counter-Terrorism Division.
Media reports of the case can be found at: