Soldiers Alleged Of Being Neo-Nazis To Stand Trial In March

Three alleged neo-Nazis, including two British soldiers, are set to stand trial in March next year, a court has decided.

Lance Corporal Mikko Vehvilainen and Private Mark Barrett are accused along with Alexander Deakin of being part of the proscribed organisation National Action.

All three appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey.

Judge Mr Justice Holroyde told them that a date of March 5 had been set for a trial, due to last four weeks, at Birmingham Crown Court.

Vehvilainen is also charged with possessing a document containing information likely to be useful for terrorism and publishing material which is threatening, abusive or insulting.

According to the indictment, he allegedly posted comments on a website intending to stir up racial hatred and had a copy of 2083: A European Declaration of Independence by Andrew Berwick (Anders Breivik).

The 32-year-old is also charged with possessing pepper spray.

Barrett, 24, faces a single charge of membership of National Action, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.

Deakin faces the same charge as well as possession of documents likely to be useful to a person preparing to commit an act of terrorism and distribution of a terrorist publication.

The 22-year-old allegedly had a copy of "white resistance manual for fun" and sent "ethnic cleansing operations" to people over Skype.

Vehvilainen, based at Sennybridge Camp, Brecon, Powys; Barrett, who is based at Gaza Crescent, Dhekelia Garrison, Cyprus; and Deakin, from Beacon Road, Great Barr in Birmingham, were remanded in custody.

They will appear via videolink at a plea hearing due to take place at Birmingham Crown Court on January 3.