Alina Burns has pleaded guilty to attempted murder after attacking a man with an axe in Bristol. Burns, who was 18 at the time of the incident, targeted Mohammed Mahmoodi outside a barber shop in August last year.
According to court proceedings, Mahmoodi narrowly avoided serious injury after dodging the axe, escaping unharmed.
Police said Burns later admitted her intent, telling officers she attacked him because she “wanted to cut his neck.” Investigators also recovered weapons from her, including a scalpel and darts, after she was detained.
Burns was linked to Patriotic Alternative, a far-right organisation led by Mark Collett. Authorities uncovered extremist material at her home, including messages expressing violent ideology. In one email, she wrote: “Kill all Jews and Muslims in Britain, please.”
Other writings revealed deeply disturbing beliefs, including a message where she described herself as “the embodiment of hell, destined to annihilate everything holy.”
Her notes also referenced Adolf Hitler, and her online searches included queries about purchasing weapons. Shortly before the attack, she reportedly wrote: “Land is reclaimed through terror… Better if they flee out of fear.” Burns admitted she bought the axe intending to kill the victim.
Although she had previously denied having a terrorist motive, the case has raised concerns about extremist radicalisation among young people. The trial is ongoing as the court continues to examine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
English (US) ·