A MAN has been jailed for a terrorist attack at a hotel in Smite last year.
Callum Parslow has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 22 years and eight months for the attempted murder of a 25-year-old man in the Pear Tree Inn in April last year.
The 32-year-old was found guilty after a three-week trial at Leicester Crown Court in October 2024. He was handed the sentence today (Friday).
During the trial, the jury heard the carefully planned attack had been weeks in the making. Parslow researched hotels housing asylum seekers, bought a knife from the US and prepared a manifesto.
He was arrested on a nearby canal towpath soon after the attack and before he was able to publish his manifesto or cause further harm.
A search of his address found several weapons, including an axe, a knife, a baseball bat and extreme right-wing material.
Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, supported by West Mercia Police, carried out an investigation and the attack was formally declared as terrorism by the Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.
West Mercia Police Local Policing Assistant Chief Constable, Grant Wills, said: “I’d like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding at the time of the attack and in the days that followed while an investigation was carried out.
“Officers attended within minutes and, thanks to help from two members of the public, were able to quickly arrest Parslow, preventing him from causing further harm.
“The weapon and key evidence was also secured, helping lead to his conviction.
“Attacks of this nature do not happen often in our communities but if they do we are prepared and will take swift action to protect the public.
“I’m pleased today’s sentence means a dangerous individual will now spend a considerable time in prison.”
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing in the West Midlands, Det Ch Sup Alison Hurst, added: “Detectives have worked tirelessly to secure this conviction together with our colleagues at West Mercia Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
“Parslow carried out a carefully planned attack with his extreme right-wing mindset targeting his victim based on his ethnicity.
“I hope today’s sentence brings some relief to the victim and the wider community.”
