Met Counter terrorism investigation leads to jury finding man planned to kill solicitor

An investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command has led to a jury finding that a man planned a terrorist attack at a law firm in Harrow.

At the conclusion of a fact-finding hearing at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, 10 December, Cavan Medlock 32 (18.09.92) of Austen Road, Harrow was found to have committed the act of making a threat to kill and the preparation of terrorist acts.

The court heard Medlock targeted a particular solicitor at a law firm in Harrow on 7 September 2020. He was arrested at the scene with a rucksack containing a large knife, handcuffs, ‘gaffer’ tape and two large flags demonstrating extreme right-wing terrorist ideology.

Acting Commander Helen Flanagan, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our investigation uncovered how Medlock had planned this attack and wanted to intimidate the public, particularly anyone who might be regarded as immigrants.

“He was prevented in carrying out his plan thanks to the extraordinarily brave actions of a receptionist, who managed to disarm him of a large knife.

“By his own admission, at the time of these events, Medlock identified as a Nazi. Our investigation supported this, with officers finding a copy of Mein Kampf at his home address.

“It is clear from what he said in police interviews, Medlock wanted to provide a ‘rallying cry’ to inspire other extreme right-wing terrorists.

“I’m glad that a jury has now found the facts of this case proven.”

Medlock was arrested shortly after 5.20pm on 7 November 2020 after he took out a six-inch combat knife and demanded to see a particular solicitor.

The receptionist managed to disarm him, despite being punched and kicked. Other members of staff also intervened and Medlock was restrained and police were called to the scene.

While he was detained in reception, Medlock saw the solicitor whom he targeted and said he had come to the office to kill him. Medlock was also recorded as saying ‘unfortunately I didn’t finish the job’.

A search of Medlock’s home address revealed a mobile phone and analysis of it showed Medlock had targeted the solicitor after reading a media article in which he was quoted. He had then researched the location of the law firm, before planning his attack.

Medlock will be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 12 December.

CCTV of the incident can be downloaded here https://mps.box.com/s/nw6vbdfl...