Christine Grayson, a 59-year-old anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for plotting to destroy 5G masts. Grayson became obsessed with the belief that 5G was linked to the COVID-19 vaccine and started posting online about the dangers of 5G from 2021 to 2022. She discussed methods of removing the masts, saying she needed a “sabotage team” and posted videos of burning masts.
Despite being a person of good character and a regular charity fundraiser, Grayson chose to take the law into her own hands. A judge at Leeds Crown Court said that although she did not get beyond the planning stage, she showed a willingness to cause destruction. Grayson will serve nine months in custody while on remand and will be released on licence after serving half of her sentence.
Grayson’s co-defendant, Darren Reynolds, was found guilty of eight terrorist offences, including encouraging terrorism, disseminating a terrorist publication, and possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing an act of terrorism. Reynolds, 60, had extreme right-wing, antisemitic, and racist views and discussed armed uprisings and advocated violence towards people he called “traitors.” He wrote online that he wanted to “destroy the Jews once and for all” and applauded the callous murders of MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess.
The court heard that Reynolds shared neo-Nazi material and had a manual on how to build a .50 Browning calibre single shot rifle found at his home. He was also found with a document called “How to Become an Assassin” and a replica assault rifle. The judge said Reynolds was “well beyond the line” of free speech and crossed a line into inciting hatred and violence.
Christine Grayson
Both Grayson and Reynolds used the social media platform Telegram to communicate with each other and with other like-minded individuals. Police found a crossbow and crossbow bolts at Grayson’s home and two replica assault rifles at Reynolds’ home during a search of their addresses. The court heard that both defendants were strongly opposed to the rollout of the 5G network and regarded the masts as “enemy infrastructure.”
Grayson was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and cleared of one charge of encouraging terrorism, while Reynolds was found guilty of one count of encouraging terrorism, one count of disseminating a terrorist publication, and six counts of possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing an act of terrorism. Reynolds was cleared of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication.
This case highlights the dangers of conspiracy theories and the need to address misinformation and disinformation online. It also shows the importance of punishing individuals who incite hatred and violence and advocate for destruction and harm to others. The sentences handed down in this case serve as a warning to others who believe they can take the law into their own hands or incite violence and hatred online.
