What began as a growing concern among classmates and parents about an Edinburgh teenager’s disturbing behavior has now ended in a six-year prison sentence for terrorism-related offences.
The young man, Felix Winter, was just 18 when he appeared before the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to charges that left a community shaken and deeply troubled.
From Costumes to Chaos: The Social Media Post That Sparked Panic
In the summer of 2023, a photo began circulating online.
It showed Winter dressed in military-style gear—cargo trousers, a tactical vest, and helmet—walking through his secondary school.
He appeared to be carrying a gun. Although it was later revealed to be part of a drama class project and the weapon was a prop, the image sparked fear among students and parents alike.
It didn’t take long for a parent to contact the police.
What followed was an investigation that unearthed far more disturbing details about Winter’s mindset and activities.
Behind the Image: Alarming Behavior and Terrifying Plans
Investigators learned that Winter had spent over 1,000 hours communicating with a radical, pro-Nazi group on Discord.
He was reportedly obsessed with the Columbine High School massacre in the U.S., regularly talking about it at school.
Classmates said he idolised the shooters and often spoke in graphic detail about his own version of a “Doomsday” attack.
He even explained how he would carry out the massacre—starting on the second floor of his school, planting makeshift bombs, using firearms, and intending to die by suicide when confronted by police.
Some students remembered him talking about placing pressure cooker bombs and even changing his name to honor one of the Columbine attackers.
A Pattern of Extremism and Violence
Beyond just talk, Winter’s digital footprint painted an even darker picture.
His phone was filled with violent imagery—videos of shootings, Nazi propaganda, and footage glorifying mass killings.
He had a TikTok account showing himself in combat gear with captions alluding to school shootings.
A disturbing handwritten journal entry read: “I can’t wait to hold my gun again in my gear.
Hoping I’ll get a bomb…kills this time. Will be unstoppable.”
Previous Warnings Were Missed
What’s perhaps most shocking is that this wasn’t the first time Winter had appeared on authorities’ radar.
He was referred to the UK’s Prevent counter-terrorism programme twice—first in November 2022 after concerns from students, and again in June 2023 after the photo incident. Although he seemed to cooperate initially, officials ultimately decided to close the case.
Meanwhile, Winter continued expressing violent intentions to his peers.
His college later reported that he’d said he was “annoyed at getting caught,” adding yet another red flag to an already long list.
A Complex Case: Mental Health, Grooming, and Regret
Winter’s legal team described him as a vulnerable young person battling mental health struggles.
His lawyer, Shelagh McCall KC, argued that he wasn’t driven by extremist ideology but by a desire for revenge after being bullied.
She claimed he had been groomed by the online community and didn’t fully understand the consequences of his actions.
McCall urged the court to consider alternatives to prison so he could continue receiving psychological support.
The Verdict: Jail Time Over Treatment
But the judge, Lord Arthurson, wasn’t convinced.
In his sentencing, he said Winter had come dangerously close to actually carrying out a school shooting.
Given the seriousness of the threat and the fear he had instilled, the court sentenced Winter to six years in prison under the Terrorism Act.
While Winter’s case is now closed, it has left many reflecting on the influence of online radicalisation, the signs missed, and the urgent need to intervene before dangerous fantasies turn into devastating realities.