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In a stark warning about the vulnerability of young people to online extremist ideologies, 19-year-old Dihan Rahman of Southall has pleaded guilty to possessing bomb-making guides and a campaign of stalking, revealing a chilling link between personal grievance and violent radicalisation.
Rahman stood before the Old Bailey on February 6, the second day of his trial, and admitted to three counts of possessing documents likely to be useful for terrorism. The digital haul, found on his encrypted drives, included detailed video guides on constructing explosive devices. In a parallel strand of intimidation, he also pleaded guilty to stalking two teenage schoolgirls—one of whom had rejected him—and a female teacher who reported him to authorities.
The Path from Stalking to Terrorist Ideology
The case unraveled not from a counter-terrorism sweep, but from reports of predatory behaviour. After his initial arrest for stalking in March 2024, Rahman brazenly violated bail conditions to continue harassing his victims online. His actions escalated to posting a photograph of a German Nazi soldier and the venue for his school prom, signalling a disturbing blend of personal malice and ideological fascination. A subsequent arrest in November 2024 revealed he had posted details of the girls and teacher online, framing them as part of a 'conspiracy' against him.
This trajectory from personal grievance to consuming violent extremist material is what alarms counter-terrorism officials. "This case is yet another example of a growing and concerning trend of young people being drawn into extremist, violent and terrorist ideologies—principally from what they are exposed to and consuming online," said Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan, Head of Operations for Counter Terrorism Policing London. The investigation was triggered by the courage of his victims and the vigilance of his teachers, who first contacted police with their concerns.
The Community and the Unanswered Questions
While the court record does not detail Rahman's ethnic origin or family life, his case unfolds in Southall, a West London neighbourhood with a large and long-established British South Asian community. The intersection of his personal struggles, potential online influences, and community context remains a critical, yet unanswered, part of the story. The case forces uncomfortable questions about the channels through which isolated young men are exposed to both misogynistic harassment manuals and terrorist propaganda.
What Happens Next: The Long Road to May 6
The guilty plea is not the end. All attention now turns to May 6, 2026, when Rahman will be sentenced at the Old Bailey. The period until then will be crucial. The judge will await detailed pre-sentence reports, which will include assessments by psychiatrists and probation officers to evaluate Rahman's dangerousness, his level of radicalisation, and any potential for rehabilitation.
The sentencing exercise will be a complex balancing act. The court must punish serious terrorism and stalking offences, protect the public, and consider the defendant's youth and guilty plea. A central question will be whether a lengthy custodial sentence is the only option, or if a multi-year sentence with a dedicated deradicalisation programme could be considered. Meanwhile, the victims—the two schoolgirls and the teacher—continue their recovery, praised by police for their "incredible courage and resilience".
A Viral Warning for the Digital Age
This case is a microcosm of a national security challenge. It underscores the urgent need for parents, teachers, and community members to recognise early warning signs—be it sudden isolation, extreme online activity, or aggressive behaviour—and to act without hesitation. "Our message is clear," DCS Flanagan urged, "if you have any concerns whatsoever, then ACT Early and contact us before it may be too late". As the UK grapples with the digital frontiers of radicalisation, the story of Dihan Rahman is a chilling case study in how quickly a path of personal spite can merge with the highway to terrorism.
