Legoland is to temporarily shut its hotel amid safety and security fears. It comes after a private fun day organised by an Islamic group, due to be held on Sunday, was cancelled due to threats from far-right groups. Legoland said it received further threats and decided to close its hotel this weekend, saying the safety of guests and staff was its priority.

The theme park in Windsor, Berkshire, was already closed for the season. It reopens on 14 March.

Thames Valley Police said it is investigating offensive messages sent in connection with the event organised by the Muslim Research and Development Foundation. Legoland was forced to shut down its Facebook page due to a number of abusive posts. It also received threats through phone calls and emails.

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A teenager described as a “would-be terrorist” armed himself with guns and explosives to plan a repeat of the Columbine massacre on his former school, a court has heard.

Michael Piggin was found with petrol bombs, air rifles, pistols and armour at his home which he planned to use for a terror attack on staff and pupils at his former high school in Loughborough, Leicestershire, it is alleged.

The teenager, who was 17 when he was arrested but can now be named after turning 18, also identified his college, Loughborough Mosque, a local cinema, Loughborough University and the town’s council offices as potential targets, the Old Bailey heard.

A Che Guevara notebook emblazoned with Nazi swastikas and English Defence League (EDL) mottos was found when his home was searched by police in February last year, the jury was told. Opening the case, prosecutor Max Hill QC said the notebook included drawings showing how Piggin would arm himself and discussed tactics to carry out “The New Columbine”. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999 before both committing suicide in one of America’s worst mass shootings.

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A judge has lifted an order banning the naming of an 18-year-old man charged with terror offences.

Michael Piggin, of Loughborough, is accused of possession of items for the purpose of terrorism, including partially-constructed pipe bombs. He is also charged with possessing a document containing information likely to be useful for a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Mr Piggin denies the two charges and his trial is due to begin on Tuesday.

Mr Piggin is alleged to have possessed nine partially-assembled petrol bombs, firework powder, partially-constructed improvised explosive devices, a crossbow, a variety of air rifles, a gas mask and stab proof vest. He is also charged with having a notebook containing information about the planning of attacks and the construction of explosive devices.

Mr Piggin, whose name could not previously be reported owing to his age, is due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in London.

BBC News, 3 March 2014

In an earlier trial Piggin pleaded guilty to possessing explosives but the jury failed to reach a verdict on the terrorism charges, hence the retrial. For further details see here.

Update:  See “Court hears teen ‘armed himself with guns, explosives’”, Islamophobia Watch, 4 March 2014

A gang launched a “completely and utterly disgraceful” racist attack on staff at a Cambridge restaurant in the wake of the Lee Rigby murder.

The five friends – three of whom have been locked up – chased and assaulted staff, threw glass bottles and bins and hurled racial abuse outside the Mai Thai restaurant by Parker’s Piece as they chanted “EDL”. They goaded two brothers into coming outside before attacking them while shouting racist abuse on June 6 last year, a few days after the brutal murder of Fusilier Rigby in Woolwich.

The manager of the restaurant, who did not want to be named, told the News after the Cambridge Crown Court sentencing they attacked Muslim and Thai workers – and then turned on some of the 20 or so police officers who arrived on the scene.

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