Teenager Threatening College Shooting Receives Community Order
Theodore Hopes, an 18-year-old from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, who made threats to carry out a shooting at Newtown College and was seen giving a Nazi salute, has been sentenced to a two-year community order instead of jail.
At Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, it was revealed that Hopes stated:
"I want to go into Newtown College, I want to shoot people."
He had written a "manifesto" and conducted online searches related to pipe bombs and attacks on secondary schools. However, the court was informed there was no evidence that Hopes took any concrete steps to execute these threats.
Arrest and Mental Health Assessment
Jason Howells, prosecuting, reported that Hopes was arrested in December 2025 at his father's residence in Llandrindod Wells. During the arrest, police body camera footage captured Hopes discussing intentions of self-harm and harming others.
At Brecon police station, health care professional Lesley Watson evaluated Hopes, noting he experienced "dark thoughts of envy, rage and suicide." Hopes informed her that a gun previously in his possession had been confiscated but added:
"I can still go in and stab people."
Watson described him as "dead behind the eyes" and "adamant on harming people." During the assessment, Hopes reiterated:
"I want to go into Newton College, I want to shoot people."
He also expressed a desire to commit "suicide by police." Despite these statements, Hopes told officers he had no intention of attacking anyone and held no grudges against individuals at the college.
Prevent Programme and Evidence Found
Judge Paul Lewis KC informed the court that Hopes had been referred twice to the Prevent counter-extremism programme, but these interventions were unsuccessful.
Upon searching Hopes' phone, police discovered a manifesto titled "The end of Theo Hopes," which contained the phrase:
"Theo Hopes, mass murderer."
This document was intended to be sent to political parties, the press, and the Dyfed-Powys Police commissioner after his death.
Additional items found included visits to websites selling human skulls and bones, and the purchase of an air gun that was subsequently confiscated by police. A video on his phone showed Adolf Hitler and included footage of Hopes performing a Nazi salute.
Defence and Court Findings
Martha Smith-Higgins, defending, stated that Hopes is autistic and had consumed material that influenced his young mind.
Judge Lewis referenced a report concluding that Hopes was "misogynistic with far-right political leanings," but emphasized that there was no evidence he had acted on these views.
Hopes was sentenced to a two-year community order with a requirement to undergo 30 days of rehabilitation. Additional conditions include a one-year ban on using computers or devices connected to the internet and a prohibition on possessing more than one mobile phone.
