NORWEGIAN TEENAGER FOUND GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY TO MURDER IN ENGLAND

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, a footballer from Stavanger in Norway, has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder following a retrial at the Old Bailey. The 19-year-old travelled to England in March last year after agreeing to shoot an unidentified target for €25,000 (£21,500) on behalf of an international gang. Armed police arrested him at a hotel in Huddersfield two days after his arrival in the UK and seized two firearms and 12 live bullets from his possession.

Natland admitted to possessing the guns and ammunition but claimed he would have used them on himself to escape his situation. Jurors heard evidence that he had made repeated false statements following his arrest and attempted to dissuade his girlfriend from testifying against him in phone calls made from prison. The jury deliberated for 17 hours and six minutes before reaching their verdict. His recruiter, identified as a 17-year-old known as "Generalen", was convicted in Norway in May last year of attempting to contribute to murder. Generalen worked for the proscribed Swedish Foxtrot gang, which prosecutors say is backed by the Iranian regime.

Natland was directed by an English-speaking boss called "Agent 47" and arrived at Manchester Airport on a temporary passport before being bailed by Border Force officials. Rather than returning home as required, he travelled to Huddersfield, where he collected £2,000 in cash, the two firearms and ammunition from a stolen Nissan with false registration plates. Three additional people have been charged by Norwegian police, with prosecutors yet to decide whether to indict them. The case forms part of an ongoing investigation into the international operation allegedly orchestrated from abroad.