Man (27) detained to mental health facility for school killings plot

Daniel Michael McMillan has been sentenced by Jersey's Royal Court after pleading guilty to terrorism offences which involved plotting an attack at a secondary school.

The 27-year-old has been detained indefinitley under the Mental Health Law after admitting to planning a mass killing at Les Quennevais school.

He has also been handed a 10-year restraining order, preventing him from entering school and nursery premises in Jersey.

Additionally, he will be on the Sex Offenders' register for a decade for indecent images of children and unlawful sexual intercourse.

McMillan was first arrested in January 2023 after police were informed he was planning an attack on the school.

An investigation established he was in the 'advanced stages' of preparing a mass killing, using a homemade flamethrower and an axe.

Clothing and a mask were also going to be used, designed to obscure his identity.

When officers visited him, they discovered a pressure washer, butane and propane gas canisters, an axe, rope, liquid containers and piping in his bedroom.

Jersey's Royal Court

Further investigations found Daniel McMillan had visited the school he was targeting and took photographs on his mobile phone.

Digital forensics revealed 'extensive' internet-based research, a personal manifesto and plans, including flamethrower construction, explosives, chemical compounds, other terrorist-related actions and how to evade police.

Indecent images of children were also found on the 27-year-old's devices. 163 images were discovered, eight of which were indecent.

Four fell into Category B and the other four in Category C.

Detective Inspector Paul Ryan says terrorism offences are extremely rare in Jersey.

"The revelation of McMillan's plans, early intervention and subsequent conviction were made possible by the joint work between multiple agencies.

"We know that details from this case may be particularly alarming but want to reassure the community that reports of criminality of this nature are robustly assessed and investigated."

Jersey Police Headquarters

McMillan has been in police custody since his initial arrest in 2023, at a secure facility in the UK while he has been assessed.

The 27-year-old will be detained at a secure facility for treatment indefinitely.

He will go through an ongoing review before any release into the community, with continued monitoring and engagement.

If necessary, restrictions allow McMillan to be taken back to the facility.

Detective Inspector Ryan added:

"Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and highlights the strong partnership working between the States of Jersey Police (SoJP) alongside colleagues from the Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES), Health and Community Services (HCS), Law Officers and other partner agencies to support investigations.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say that it is not police action alone that ultimately defeats terrorism, but the combined actions of all islanders. We continue to rely on the help and support from our residents and business community to improve the flow of information.

"If you have any information about activity or behaviour that doesn’t feel right, please report it. We are committed to working closely with partners and agencies in Jersey to protect and keep our community safe."

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