British teens acquitted of Columbine-style plot

Two English teenagers have today been cleared of plotting a Columbine-style massacre at their own school.

Matthew Swift (aged 18) and Ross McKnight (aged 16) were facing possible life sentences for the alleged plan to murder teachers and pupils in a killing spree at Audenshaw High School, Greater Manchester, England.

However, after deliberating for just 45 minutes the jury at Manchester Crown Court rejected prosecution claims the teenagers had become obsessed with American killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who murdered 12 students and a teacher and then killed themselves at their high school in Colorado in 1999.

It was alleged Swift and McKnight were plotting a similar rampage at their school. The prosecution claimed they had named the plot Project Rainbow and timed it for April 20 this year - the 10th anniversary of the atrocity in the US.

The prosecution based much of their case on journals and diaries kept by the pair, full of hate-filled rants against the school and society and containing maps and plans of the school. Both Harris and Klebold had kept similar documents before their attack.

It was also alleged Swift had tried to get his hands on explosives and was researching how to make firearms from home. However, the defence told the jury the journals were merely the teenage scribblings of two youngsters with over-active imaginations.

The defendants both told the jury their thoughts and writing never went beyond the realms of "fantasy".

Jurors laughed in court as McKnight's father, Ray, a serving police officer of nearly 20 years told the court his son was full of "hare-brained" schemes. Both teenagers were cleared of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property between November 2007 and March 15 this year, following a three-week trial.

Speaking outside court, McKnight said: "I would like to make it clear that at no time was any person put at risk either at Audenshaw High School or Crown Point North Shopping Centre. This was just a fantasy. This was never a reality."

Swift said: "I would like to thank my friends and my legal team who continued to believe in me and who have supported me through this difficult time. I would now like to put this behind me."

McKnight added that he thanked the jury for listening to the evidence and reaching their verdict.

Members of the jury stayed outside court and looked on as both defendants gave their statements to the massed throng of media.

McKnight added: "I would just like to say that during my time in custody I have taken my GCSEs. I hope that my wish to join the Army has not been harmed. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to my friends and family. I would now like to put this behind me."