Man in terror probe said he would 'make 9/11 look like episode of Teletubbies'

A man held during a terror investigation claimed he would make the 9/11 attacks “look like an episode of the Teletubbies”.

Curtis Ross had a fascination with “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski – the lone wolf terrorist who killed three Americans and injured several others over nearly 20 years.

The 24-year-old had been arrested after posting online a clip of him blowing up two gas canisters near the River Leven in Methil, Fife.

Ross’ home was raided, and police discovered a drawing marked “Project Payback”.

A phone and tablet device were also examined, which included the voice message about the 2001 Twin Towers atrocity and him discussing with others “murdering all the people who wronged you”.

Ross appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, which included sending concerning messages and voice notes on Snapchat and Facebook, causing an explosion, filming it and putting the footage on social media between June 25 and July 31, 2024.

He had a not guilty plea to a charge under the Terrorism Act accepted.

Ross was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.

A Facebook friend of Ross spotted the explosion video in late July 2024. He showed it to a young woman who was so “alarmed” that she contacted the police.

Ross was held that day after being spotted in Methil.

Detectives – along with Counter Terrorism officers – searched his home in the town.

They found the “Project Payback” drawing along with a sketch of what was described as a “homemade explosive device”.

Various items, including a roll of wire, mobile phone batteries, nails, screws, and a watch, were inside a desk.

Initial fears about a package in the property led to homes in the area being evacuated, but it did not contain an explosive.

Prosecutor Greg Farrell said Ross “laughed” when first quizzed about what he had filmed, claiming it was an “attempt at satire comedy”.

But, he confirmed that he had blown up two butane gas canisters and had posted it on his Facebook page under the name of a Batman comic villain.

Mr Farrell: “He made reference to social media corrupting his decisions.”

Ross was asked about his interest in Kaczynski – captured in 1996 – and said he was “apparently some kind of mail bomber” that he had learned more about by going down a “rabbit hole” online.

Ross went on to insist that he himself was “not a terrorist” as he had “made peace with everything in his life”.

But, police found a series of concerning messages during checks of his phone and black tablet.

In late June 2024, he wrote to 15 users on Facebook Messenger: “Here guys, I am just here to inform you that the only thing stopping you from murdering all of the people who wronged you is just a box.

“That is only if you cannot do it correctly and make sure enough evidence is gone so that the charges do not stick.”

He referred to “instructions on how to make a pipe bomb” adding: “Hope this comes in handy for you one day x”.

In messages on the day of the River Leven explosion, a social media contact called Ross “a v.dangerous human”.

Mr Farrell then told the court of a Snapchat conversation with a friend shortly before.

Ross stated at one stage: “I am going to make 9/11 look like an episode of the Teletubbies, f*** sake.”

He then backtracked again, claiming it was “satire comedy” and that he was “only joking”.

During further rants, Ross said he had been let down by the “justice system”, moaning he had been treated differently because he is a man.

In messages to another contact, he said: “I have realised that I simply cannot allow what is happening to humanity and our world to continue.

“I can and will have an impact on preventing the worst from happening xx.”

The court heard there were also photos, videos and sketches of the “Unabomber” on the devices as well as images of a pipe bomb and firearms together with “various other clips which suggest violence”.

Lord Colbeck deferred sentencing for reports.