• Neo-Nazi Callum Parslow was sentenced to life imprisonment for the attempted murder of asylum seeker Nahom Hagos.
• Hagos was left with lasting physical & psychological trauma. Parslow’s history of far-right violence highlights the growing societal danger of far-right terrorism.
A white supremacist, described by a judge as carrying out “undoubtedly a terrorist attack,” has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the attempted murder of an asylum seeker.
Callum Parslow, 32, inflicted devastating injuries on Nahom Hagos, a 25-year-old Eritrean national, at the Pear Tree Inn in Smite near Worcester. Armed with a “specialist” £770 knife purchased online, Parslow stabbed Mr. Hagos in the chest and hand in what the judge described as a “vicious and unprovoked assault on a complete stranger.”
During the sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr. Justice Dove emphasised that Parslow’s actions stemmed from a “far-right neo-Nazi mindset, which fuelled your warped, violent, and racist views.” Parslow admitted that he had traveled to the hotel with the intention of stabbing “one of the Channel migrants,” confessing to the jury during his trial at Leicester Crown Court that he was “angry and frustrated.”
Mr. Hagos, who had been living a peaceful life prior to the attack, revealed in his victim impact statement that the incident left him suffering from depression, PTSD, and “excruciating pain” in his hand. “My life has been turned upside down,” he stated. “I feel lonely and don’t feel safe on the street.”
A Calculated Act of Terrorism
Parslow was found guilty of attempted murder following a three-week trial and sentenced to a minimum of 22 years and 8 months. He also pleaded guilty to unrelated charges, including a sexual offense and sending malicious electronic communications. Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s counter-terrorism division, stated, “This attack was carried out to intimidate a section of the public—namely asylum seekers and those providing accommodation to them.” She described the assault as an act of terrorism motivated by Parslow’s “neo-Nazi views.”
Evidence presented during the trial revealed Parslow’s extreme ideology. He had attempted to post a manifesto on X (formerly Twitter), claiming he did his “duty to England” by attempting to “exterminate” his victim. The post, however, failed to upload. A search of Parslow’s residence uncovered Nazi memorabilia, including a swastika armband, a Nazi-era medallion, an axe, a metal baseball bat, and a copy of Mein Kampf.
A Pattern of Violence and Misogyny
Parslow’s history of violent and misogynistic behavior was highlighted during the trial. Between July and August 2023, he used social media to send “grossly offensive” messages of a racist and sexual nature to a prominent TV journalist, also targeting her daughter. In a victim impact statement, the journalist described how the harassment destroyed her sense of security, stating, “This incident has scared me… it has made me realise that there are people like the defendant who are not just keyboard warriors but who will go to extreme lengths to hurt people.”
Parslow’s prior convictions included stalking, sending indecent communications, and violent threats. In 2018, he was jailed for 30 months for offenses involving 13 women, where he sent sexually graphic and violent messages from fake social media accounts.
Mr. Justice Dove concluded that Parslow’s actions reflected an “extreme right-wing mindset” and posed a significant threat to public safety. Highlighting the seriousness of the attack, the judge remarked that only a life sentence could appropriately address the danger Parslow represents.
This case highlights the escalating danger posed by far-right extremism as a growing threat to society.
