An individual who was an army cadet had intentions to carry out a violent act at a school on Valentine’s Day following rejection from a 16-year-old girl, a court proceeding revealed. Identified as Dihan Rahman, now 19 years old, he was accused of persistently following and harassing the two girls despite police warnings. Rahman was reported to have engaged in concerning behaviors such as making Nazi salutes, posing with a noose, sharing personal information of the girls online, and holding extremist beliefs including incel ideology, misogyny, and Islamic extremism.
Allegations also suggested that Rahman, hailing from west London, possessed materials related to terrorism and had shown interest in violent content. His trial commenced with the prosecution stating that the issues arose when he started a new school and joined an Army cadet program in 2023.
Upon facing rejection from one of the girls, Rahman reportedly resorted to sending abusive messages to both individuals. His actions escalated on Valentine’s Day in 2024 when he sent a derogatory message to the girl, followed by disturbing online behavior and threats regarding disrupting a prom event.
Rahman’s conduct drew attention from a female teacher who noticed his inappropriate actions towards the girls. She intervened after observing concerning content on his phone, including images of him in cadet uniform holding a noose. Further inspection revealed disturbing imagery and messages promoting violence and hate.
The trial showcased evidence of Rahman’s online activities, including searches related to one of the girls and the release of personal details about them online. The prosecution highlighted the seriousness of these actions, labeling them as “doxxing” and emphasizing Rahman’s possession of materials related to bomb-making and terrorism.
Rahman admitted to having the materials but claimed ignorance of their contents, citing research purposes. However, the prosecution argued that his background, online behavior, and the nature of the materials indicated a deeper interest in violent and extremist ideologies.
The trial at the Old Bailey is ongoing as further details and evidence are presented.
