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A teenager from Arnold who is on trial accused of being a member of a far-right group said he was attracted by its 'edginess', a court was told.

Connor Scothern told police he had de-radicalised himself and left National Action the day before it was banned.

The 18-year-old previously told officers he had been member of the group because he had far-right views and he "liked their edginess".

He is one of four people on trial at Birmingham Crown Court charged with being members of National Action between December 2016 and September 2017.

Scothern, along with Garry Jack, 23, from Heathland Avenue, Shard End, Birmingham, Alice Cutter, 22, and Mark Jones, 24, both of Mulhalls Mill, Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, deny the charges.

On the third day of the trial on March 22, the court heard Scothern and Jack were sent an email urging them to "throw away or burn any memorabilia" following counter-terror raids.

Prosecutors claim the message sent to the pair shows they were members of National Action in September 2017 - nine months after the organisation was outlawed.

The jury heard the "wholly disingenuous" email was written by a man who has since been convicted of National Action membership.

Described in court as a "masterpiece of back-covering" the message was headed "Recent News" and read: "I am sure you have all heard the news that four men have been arrested on the grounds that they are members of the terrorist organisation NA.

"I can understand any concern this will raise since some of our members are ex-NA but I don't think anyone should be worried since we are not associated with NA in any way.

"NA is a dead movement and due to the vile tweets posted by a few select members it was proscribed."

(Image: Matthew Cooper/PA Wire)

Advising several recipients to distance themselves from the banned terror group, the message added: "Delete any affiliations you have to the group.

"Throw away or burn any memorabilia you are holding on to. If anyone is caught breaking the NA proscription or advocating for NA or even holding any NA memorabilia they will be kicked from the group.

"Stay safe and be smart. They are watching the far right's every step now and if even one of us slips up it will cost all of us. This is an all for one and one for all situation."

The trial was also told Cutter, who is alleged to have been an entrant in a "Miss Hitler" contest in 2016, refused to answer questions after Nazi-themed items including earrings were found at her home.

Pictures of Cutter holding a firearm and posing beside a Nazi flag were shown to jurors, who were told that Jones and Jack also refused to answer questions put by counter-terror officers.

Jones and Jack both claim they were "committed and unapologetic" members of National Action but quit the organisation when it was banned.

Meanwhile, Cutter maintains she has never been a member of National Action, either before or after the ban.

Concluding his opening address, prosecutor Barnaby Jameson QC alleged: "The group that comprised National Action was a terrorist organisation to its core.

"It had had access to weapons, in the shape of guns, knives, machetes, knuckle-dusters, catapults, ice-picks and high velocity cross-bows.

"This was not, members of the jury, a talking shop. The Crown asserts that each defendant in this case was an integral part of a fellowship of hate."

The trial continues next week.