A neo-Nazi Cambridge graduate convicted on a terror charge was known as a “charming” young man by his university contemporaries, a contact from his campus days told the JC.
 
Oliver Bel, 24, who studied maths at Pembroke College, was “pretty charming to everyone and his more radical views are not things you would necessarily pick up if you met him socially,” the source said.
 
Despite his respectable appearance, Bel was posting violent and racist views online, including that Jews should be “exterminated” and that he wanted to go on a rampage and “kill them all”.   
 
Bel stood trial at Manchester Crown Court, accused of possessing a copy of the Anarchist's Cookbook – a bomb-making manual. 
 
He was found guilty of possessing a document containing information useful to terrorism, an offence punishable by up to 15 years behind bars.
 
Bel came to the attention of the Counter Terrorism Unit in Cambridge after his tutor reported the antisemitic remarks he posted online, Manchester Crown Court was told during the trial.
 
Jurors were told that in a Facebook post, Bel said: "I just want to go on a killing spree."
 
A day later, the court heard, he posted: “Hate them Jews, kill them all then kill all n******”.
 
When police raided Bel's home in Salford, they discovered the Anarchist’s Cookbook and books about Adolf Hitler, as well as his Samsung phone.
 
Police found images including a swastika on the phone, as well as recordings of conversations about race superiority.
 
They also discovered discussions with former National Action founder Alex Davies, as well as an article about Mr Bel on the website of anti-fascist organisation Hope Not Hate, the court heard.
 
Anti-racism charity HOPE not Hate welcomed the verdict. 
 
The organisation previously said it had uncovered a number of hateful messages allegedly posted by Bel on social media, including one claiming “extermination is the best option” for Jews.
 
Its head of intelligence, Matthew Collins, said the conviction “shows once again that the far right in this country continues to pose a growing terror threat.”
 
“Oliver Bel is a nazi. He thought that his wild, racist ranting would go undetected on the online Iron March forum.
 
“When his vile, violent writing was uncovered by HOPE not hate, he threatened us with legal action and with violence,” he said.
 
Bel has been remanded in custody.