A 32-year-old man has been given an indefinite hospital order for planning a terrorist attack at a London law firm, where he intended to kill a solicitor to “intimidate immigrants”.
Cavan Medlock entered the Harrow office in September 2020 armed with a knife and carrying Nazi paraphernalia, but was thwarted by the quick actions of a receptionist who managed to disarm him.
The sentence was handed down at Kingston Crown Court following a trial of facts where Medlock was found to have committed the act of making a threat to kill and the preparation of terrorist acts.
Medlock arrived at the law firm shortly before 5pm and asked to see a specific solicitor, despite not having an appointment.
A 32-year-old man has been given an indefinite hospital order for planning a terrorist attack at a London law firm, where he intended to kill a solicitor to ‘intimidate immigrants’
CPS
At 5.20pm, he brandished a six-inch knife above his head as he approached the receptionist.
In a display of remarkable courage, the receptionist grabbed Medlock, successfully disarming him and kicking the knife away before other staff members came to help.
When staff searched Medlock’s bag, they discovered handcuffs, rolls of gaffer tape, a knife sheath, and two large flags – one of Nazi Germany and another of the US Confederacy.
While being restrained in the waiting area, he openly declared his intention to kill the solicitor.
Further investigation revealed Medlock had specifically targeted the solicitor after reading a media article and researching the law firm’s location.
Analysis of his mobile phone and a search of his home provided evidence of his premeditated plans.
“Cavan Medlock’s terrorist ideology was clear,” said Bethan David, Head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division.
“By his own admission at the time of these events, he identified as a Nazi and believed his acts would rally others to his cause of right-wing extremism.”
During the incident, he also made racist remarks to two other staff members while being restrained.
The CPS head explained that Medlock’s plan was designed to intimidate immigrants to the UK and their families.
His actions involved “the use, or at least the threat, of serious violence,” she added.
“It was only the brave actions of the receptionist at the law firm which prevented his plan from being carried out,” David said.
The prosecution followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
“The CPS will always seek to prosecute anyone who prepares terrorist acts in the UK,” David concluded.
